Do Microwave Ovens Use More Energy Than a Single Burner or Hot Plate?

Microwave Ovens

• Microwave ovens vary in wattage. A less expensive model may only have 750 watts, while a superior model will offer 1,500 watts. Check out your microwave's label or packaging to find out how many watts your unit uses. Once you have it, plug it into the formula to estimate your kWh usage. For example, a 1,000 watt oven run four hours per month would net 4 kWh. A microwave oven with 1,450 watts will operate at about 190 kWh every year.

Hot Plate

• Hot plates, like microwaves, have varied power usage. A unit with lower wattage uses more power, but may also heat up more quickly and spend less time turned on. A hot plate could run at 1,200 watts. If it was run for four hours each month, you would net 4.8 kWh. The average household with a 1,200 watt hot plate would net about 90 kWh per year.

Single Burner

• Like other kitchen appliances, the power draw of a single burner depends on how many watts it has. Single burners are in the same realm as microwaves and hot plates, with between 700 and 1,500 watts in the average device. A single burner with a power draw of 1,100 watts run four hours per day would net 4.4 kWh per month. To lower your energy usage, reduce the time you use the device or choose a device with a lower wattage level.

Lower Energy Options

• Since kitchen appliances use a few extra kilowatt hours every month when they're plugged in, but not in use, you can cut your power level by unplugging the appliance after every use or turning off the power strip to which it's connected. Energy efficient models of every kitchen appliance are released annually. Decreased energy use with either a microwave, single burner or hot plate is possible when you purchase a model that is designed to operate on a lower wattage.