How Many Amps Does a Hair Dryer Use

Many people find hair dryers necessary due to their busy schedules. On average, a hair dryer consumes between 1000 and 2000 watts and about 10 to 20 amps of power. Knowing how many amps a hair dryer uses is often necessary when you’re planning on switching to a renewable energy option such as solar energy.

While there are different options on the market, you’ll also have to check the electrical system in your bathroom or bedroom to ensure it can support a device like a hair dryer. This information helps you make a smart decision when switching to solar energy as your primary source of power.

Jackery Solar Generators are a reliable and versatile option you can consider when making this switch. These solar generators are lightweight and portable, so you can use them indoors and outdoors to run your hair dryer, among other appliances.

Key Takeaways

• A hair dryer requires between 1000 and 2000 watts and about 10 to 20 amps of power to run.
• They run on a 120-volt outlet, and while most household hair dryers use between 10 and 15 amps of power, professional hair dryers use between 15 and 20 amps.
• You can calculate your hair dryer’s amps by checking the manufacturer’s details or its Energy Star rating, by dividing the wattage by voltage, or by connecting the hair dryer to a power meter.
• Jackery Solar Generators are a robust, portable, and reliable option for someone looking to switch to a renewable source of power.

How Many Amps Does a Hair Dryer Use?

A typical household hair dryer, which is found in most homes, requires about 10-15 amps of power. However, a professional or high-wattage hair dryer will likely consume between 15-20 amps of power.

This variation comes down to a few key factors, such as the mode you use the hair dryer in (slow or fast) and the temperature of the air (cold or hot), along with its wattage and energy efficiency. An energy-efficient hair dryer will have an Energy Star rating, which will tell you how much power it consumes, and this will typically be less than a hair dryer without such a rating.

But before we dive into the intricacies, you must familiarize yourself with a few technical terminologies, including watts, volts, and amps. You can refer to our detailed guide for more information on these, but the subsection below offers a simple definition of these terms.

Definition of Amps, Volts, and Watts

Understanding amps, watts, and volts is crucial to understanding an appliance’s power consumption, especially if you’re switching to solar energy or want to find solutions to reduce your electricity bills in the long run.

Amps (Amperes): Amps refer to the flow of electricity through a circuit at any given point in time, and it depends on the wattage of the hair dryer and the modes or settings you use it in. The formula to calculate amps is:

Amps = Watts / Volts 

Volts (Voltage): The volts refer to the potential difference or the pressure that drives electrical current through a circuit. In other words, it is the pressure that pushes the electrons through a circuit and can help you understand your hair dryer’s amps rating. The formula to calculate it is:

Volts = Watts / Amps

Watts (Wattage): Your hair dryer’s wattage refers to the amount of electricity required to make the appliance work, and it directly impacts how many amps it uses. Most hair dryers, as already mentioned, consume between 1000-2000 watts, depending on whether they’re household or professional hair dryers. The formula to calculate watts is:

Watts = Volts x Amps 

Running Wattage: Also referred to as the rated wattage, the running wattage is the number of watts an appliance continuously draws while running. The formula used to calculate this is:

Running Watts = Volts x Running Amps

How Many Amps Does a Domestic or Professional Hair Dryer Use?

You’ll find several different hair dryers in the market. In terms of how much electricity they consume, they’re classified into low, medium, and high-wattage hair dryers. High-wattage hair dryers are typically used in professional settings.

Hair dryers also differ based on the heating elements they use, which usually include tourmaline, ceramic, and ionic. Each is designed for different hair types and densities and can impact the dryer’s amp rating in some cases.

Note: The actual energy usage of a hair dryer might vary depending on the brand and the wattage.

How Many Amps Does a Hair Dryer Draw on Startup?

Let’s take the example of a Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer, which has a wattage of 1600 watts and runs on a 120-volt electrical system. Dividing the wattage by the voltage, in this case, gives us the amps, which come up to 13.3.

Now, unlike a dishwasher or a refrigerator, which tend to consume more power for a few seconds on startup, a hair dryer doesn’t. In other words, it draws a consistent amount of power from the moment you turn it on, from idle to the time you turn it off.

However, you must keep in mind that while you use your Dyson hair dryer, for example, the different modes, such as the Dome or Diffuse mode, will consume different amounts of electricity. The same applies to using different modes on any other hair dryer.

Startup Watts vs. Running Watts

Since a hair dryer doesn’t consume any excess power upon startup, its startup watts and running watts remain the same. The startup watts refer to the amount of electricity required to get the hair dryer running from idle or when it’s turned off, whereas the running watts refer to the amount of electricity required to keep it running.

Since a hair dryer's startup and running watts are the same, the formula to calculate them is given below. The example uses the same specifications as the Dyson hair dryer mentioned above.

Running Wattage = Voltage x Running Amps = 120 x 13.3 = 1600W

Startup Amps vs. Running Amps

It’s already been established that the startup and running watts of a hair dryer are the same, which means it doesn’t require any spike in power to get it running from idle. As a result, the startup and running amps of a hair dryer will also be the same.

How to Calculate Your Hair Dryer’s Amps

You might be wondering how to calculate the amps of your hair dryer. There are a few different ways to do this, and calculating the amps is crucial so you know how much energy consumption to anticipate or even if the electrical system needs some form of maintenance or replacement.

There are three different ways to calculate your hair dryer’s amps, each described in detail below.

Method 1: Check the Manufacturer Details or the Energy Star Rating

Every electrical appliance comes with a label in which the manufacturer mentions crucial information, such as its serial or product number or code, along with information about its electrical consumption. This typically mentions how many watts the appliance consumes, what voltage it requires (120 or 240V), and how many amps it draws. This is one way to determine how many watts a hair dryer uses or how many amps it draws.

If your hair dryer is sold as an energy-efficient mode, it will also have an Energy Star rating, which will tell you how much you save in terms of its electrical consumption. You can refer to these details to check the amperes of your hair dryer.

Method 2: Determine the Amps From the Wattage

Another method you can use to calculate the amps of your hair dryer if this information hasn’t been provided is to use its mathematical formula (Amps = Watts / Volts). If we take the example of the Dyson hair dryer we’ve mentioned above, the calculation will be as follows:

Amps = Watts / Volts = 1600 / 120 = 13.3A

Method 3: Use a Power Meter

The third method is to use a power meter. A power meter is a multifunctional device typically used to measure continuous or alternative current or the intensity of AC and DC current. All you need to do is connect the power meter to the socket into which you typically connect your hair dryer and then connect the hair dryer to the power meter.

By doing this, you can get an exact reading of how many amps your hair dryer uses. The most notable benefit is that it also considers the hair dryer's operating conditions and any electrical functions.

Tips to Save Your Electricity Bill

Suppose you’re looking to transition to using an alternative or renewable form of energy. In that case, chances are you want to reduce your electricity bills, and while this process can take some time, there are still things you can do to reduce your expenses. Here are a few tips that can help:

• Choose an energy-efficient hair dryer with an Energy Star Rating, as these are designed to consume less electricity than a traditional hair dryer.
• Try limiting the frequency at which you use your hair dryer. If possible or whenever you’re not in a rush, consider air-drying your hair to reduce your dependence on it.
• Maintain your hair dryer well and keep it free of dust and debris. Good maintenance is one of the best ways to keep electronic appliances running efficiently.
• Whenever possible, you should use the cold air setting as the warm air increases the dependence on the heating element, which consumes more electricity.
• Using a renewable source of energy, such as solar energy in the form of a solar generator, can be a great way to reduce your electricity bills in the long run.

Solar Generators for Hair Dryers

Jackery Solar Generators are reliable and versatile products that can run 99% of your household appliances, including hair dryers, portable air conditioners, and even an electric grill. The Jackery Solar Generators combine the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels with the Jackery Portable Power Station.

The solar panels are designed to absorb and harness the power of the sun’s rays and convert them into DC electricity. This is then passed through the pure sine wave inverter in the portable power station to convert it to AC electricity. These are ideal for you to run anything from the most basic household hair dryer to even a high-wattage professional hair dryer.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is a lightweight and portable solar generator with adequate capacity to run most household appliances. The model is highly portable, with foldable solar panels and a portable power station that has a handle, making it easy to carry around. Its robust built quality makes it ideal for use outdoors, even when exposed to the elements. With multiple charging options, such as ultra-fast solar charging and the option of using a wall adapter, you can ensure you’re never left without an electrical supply for your home.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is another versatile solar generator that can also be expanded to increase its capacity depending on your needs. All you need for this is an additional battery pack and more solar panels. The key highlight of these solar generators is that they’re fume-free and have extremely low noise levels, making them ideal for use indoors. However, their robust build quality and portability also ensure that they can be used outdoors, whether camping or on an overland trip.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator is the brand’s large-capacity solar generator, offering enough capacity to run 99% of your household appliances, from a microwave to a coffee machine to a professional hair dryer. It comes with foldable solar panels and a portable power station that you can wheel with you no matter where you go. It can also be charged using solar charging or a wall adapter, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

FAQs About Hair Dryer Amps

Can you run a hair dryer on a 15-amp circuit?

Yes, you can run a household hair dryer on a 15-amp circuit, but a professional hair dryer will require a 20-amp circuit to prevent it from tripping.

Do I need a 20 amp outlet for a hair dryer?

While a 15-amp outlet is adequate for a typical household hair dryer, a high-wattage or professional hair dryer will need a 20-amp circuit.

How many amps does a 1600-watt hair dryer pull?

A 1600W hair dryer will pull 13.3 amps. You can calculate this by dividing the wattage by the voltage (120V.)

How many amps does a 1200-watt hair dryer use?

A 1200W hair dryer uses 10 amps to run. You can calculate this by dividing the wattage by the voltage (120V).

Conclusion 

Calculating how many amps a hair dryer uses can be a positive step toward understanding your electrical consumption and how you can find ways to reduce your electricity bills over time. One of the best ways of doing so is to choose an energy-efficient hair dryer that consumes less electricity than a traditional hair dryer without an Energy Star rating. You can also selectively use the different modes available to monitor the dryer’s energy consumption.

Additionally, switching to solar power in the form of a Jackery Solar Generator is a viable solution for reducing your dependence on the electrical grid, thereby reducing your expenses in the long run.