How Many Watts Does a Furnace Use?
Heating and cooling devices are the most expensive in terms of power expense. Consequently, it is always critical to know how many watts a furnace uses and how many watts a conditioner or a chiller uses.
Let us discuss how many watts a furnace uses. Average electric furnaces use 10,000 to 50,000 watts (W). we can take about 20,000 W of electricity use as an average. Also, connecting it to a 220-volt breaker will use 60 to 80 amps.
It is also important to note that the running wattage of an electric furnace is far less than the stated wattage. This is because furnaces only run at full strength some of the time. Rather, they cycle on and off. Generally, how many watts Nace uses usages 2-3 times each hour. They go on and off automatically.
Can a solar generator run an electric furnace? Yes, the Jackery solar generators are reliable, safe, and high-powered enough to run most power-hungry appliances, including a furnace. More on this in the coming sections, but here are some options for you to review.
Products |
Image |
Capacity |
Rated / Peak Power |
Battery |
Size |
|
3024Wh |
3000W Rated |
Lithium-ion Battery |
Length: 18.6in(47.3cm) Width:14.1in(35.94cm) Height: 14.7in(37.36cm) Weight: 63.93lbs(29kg) |
|
|
2042.8Wh |
3000W Rated/ 6000W peak |
LFP (LiFePO4 battery) |
Length:14.7in(37.36cm) Width:18.6in(47.3cm) Height:14.1in(35.94cm) Weight:61.5 lbs(27.9 kg) |
|
|
2160Wh |
2200W Rated/ 4400W Peak |
Lithium-ion |
Length:15.1in(38.4cm) Width:10.5in(26.9cm) Height:12.1in(30.75cm) Weight:43lbs(19.5kg) |
Furnace Wattage Key Takeaways
- How many watts does a furnace use? Electric furnaces generally use 10,000 to 50,000 watts of electricity.
- If an electric furnace runs 8 to 9 hours a day, it will use about 26 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day, adding up to 182 kilowatt-hours of electricity a week.
- Considering the average US electricity cost of 14.19 ¢ / kWh, running an electric furnace costs $37.42 monthly and $449 a year.
How Many Watts Does An Electric Furnace Use?
How many watts an electric furnace uses depends on many factors, including the size of your furnace, hours of use, and the required temperature. As we already discussed, the average power usage of an electric furnace is 10 to 50 kilowatts.
The power consumption of an electric furnace also depends on the electric furnace as it eats between 10,000 and 5,000 watts of power. The blower is the part of the furnace that blows warm air throughout the space in your home. So, if the room size increases or the blower is old, power consumption increases proportionally.
How many watts does a furnace use on average?
If the average power consumption is 20 kw, you run it in a 2,400-square-foot home. If you run this furnace for 2 to 2.5 hours per day, we can estimate the average consumption as follows.
Furnace Wattage |
Real Power Use |
Timespan of use |
Electricity Used |
20,000 W |
13,000 W |
1 hour |
13 kWh |
20,000 W |
13,000 W |
1 day |
26 kWh |
20,000 W |
13,000 W |
1 week |
182 kWh |
20,000 W |
13,000 W |
1 month |
789 kWh |
20,000 W |
13,000 W |
1 year |
3,163 kWh |
How many watts do different electric furnaces use in a year?
Electric Furnace Wattage |
Actual Energy Usage |
Yearly KWh Of Electricity |
10,000 W |
6,500 W |
1,582 kWh |
15,000 W |
9,750 W |
2,373 kWh |
20,000 W |
13,000 W |
3,163 kWh |
25,000 W |
16,250 W |
3,954 kWh |
30,000 W |
19,500 W |
4,745 kWh |
How Many Watts Does A Gas Furnace Use?
There are two major furnaces used, i.e., gas-powered and electric-powered. How many watts a furnace uses depends on this factor as well. A gas furnace uses far less electric power than an electric one. If the furnace runs on gas, why does it need electricity? A gas furnace heats up using the gas but still needs electric power to run the blower. So, a gas furnace will not run without a power outage.
Let us review the gas furnace power consumption as an average.
- For smaller houses and apartments, gas furnaces typically use about 300-500 watts.
- Average-sized houses use medium-sized furnaces that consume around 500-700 watts.
- Commercial setups and large houses must have large gas furnaces that need 800-1,000 watts.
How Much Does It Cost to Power A Furnace?
We have discussed how many watts a furnace uses and how much it costs on average. We will now see the cost of running a furnace in particular states.
State |
Average Electricity Rate |
Average Cost Per Month |
Cost Per Year |
California |
22.00 ¢ / kWh |
$58.00 |
$696 |
New York |
20.59 ¢ / kWh |
$54.25 |
$651 |
Texas |
12.56 ¢ / kWh |
$33.08 |
$397 |
Massachusetts |
22.59 ¢ / kWh |
$59.58 |
$715 |
Florida |
12.21 ¢ / kWh |
$32.17 |
$386 |
Virginia |
12.58 ¢ / kWh |
$33.17 |
$398 |
New Jersey |
16.20 ¢ / kWh |
$42.67 |
$512 |
Maryland |
14.48 ¢ / kWh |
$38.17 |
$458 |
Washington |
10.38 ¢ / kWh |
$27.33 |
$328 |
US Average |
14.19 ¢ / kWh |
$37.42 |
$449 |
We can see the financial overhead of running a furnace. As this is a necessity, it is high time to find alternatives. Solar energy is the cleanest alternative energy option available. A solar generator is a great option, considering it is portable, can power most electric appliances, and is very safe and reliable. Since these generators use solar energy, there is zero fuel cost, making them a cost-effective option in the long run.
The Jackery solar generators are compact, portable, reliable, safe, and almost quiet. These generators are dynamic, as they can be used indoors and outdoors. They come with a BMS system that provides 12 layers of protection against short circuits and overvoltage. Additionally, a pure sine wave inverter maintains stable power to safeguard your appliances.
Jackery Solar Generators for Furnaces
The higher models of Jackery solar generators, like 3000 pro, 2000 plus, and 2000 pro, have enough capacity to support small to medium-sized generators and gas generators.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
Solar Generator 3000 Pro comes with smart app control for easy access. At the same time, its fully upgraded BMS ensures safety and reliability.
Customer review:
"I have recently bought a Jackery solar generator 3000 pro, and so far, I am highly satisfied. It has very noise-free operation compared to gas generators. We can use it for long hours without the danger of overheating or short circuits. "
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery solar generator 2000 plus is unique as it comes with expandable capacity ranging from 2-24 kWh and can power appliances up to 6000W. Like the other Jackery series generators, it is equipped with advanced IBC technology to charge fast with solar panels within 2 hours.
Customer Review:
“We love traveling, outdoor adventures, camping in nature and boating. We were looking for a reliable power source that is versatile and portable. Jackery 2000 plus is large enough to power our power hungry devices at home for cost effectiveness. Yet its portable design allows us to take it along for outdoors. ”
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro
The Jackery solar generator 2000 Pro is another well-manufactured alternative to grid power. It is cost-effective, low maintenance, compact, and very environmentally friendly. It has a reliable battery system based on first-rate lithium battery houses and two chips for dual battery protection. It also has four temperature core detectors, making it a perfect partner indoors and outdoors.
Customer Review:
"An excellent experience of using a solar generator. Very quiet, very efficient and very quick to charge. It has weatherproof solar panels and it is also weather resistant. I am also loving the ease of use. "
|
Solar Generator 3000 Pro |
Solar Generator 2000 Plus |
Solar Generator 2000 Pro |
Capacity |
3024Wh |
2160Wh |
2042.8Wh |
Battery Cell |
Lithium-ion Battery |
Lithium-ion Battery |
LFP (LiFePO4 battery) |
Cycle Life |
2000 cycles to 70%+ capacity |
1000 cycles to 80%+ capacity |
4000 cycles to 70%+ capacity |
Dimension |
Length: 18.6in(47.3cm) Width: 14.1in(35.94cm) Height: 14.7in(37.36cm) Weight: 63.93lbs(29kg) |
Length: 15.1in(38.4cm) Width: 10.5in(26.9cm) Height: 12.1in(30.75cm) Weight: 43lbs(19.5kg) |
Length: 14.7in(37.36cm) Width: 18.6in(47.3cm) Height: 14.1in(35.94cm) Weight: 61.5 lbs(27.9 kg) |
Recharging Methods |
Solar Charging: 3-4 H Wall Charging: 2.4 H Car Charging: 35 H |
Solar Charging: 5.5 H AC Adapter: 2 H 12V Car Adapter: 24 H |
Solar Charging: 2 H AC Adaptor: 2 H 12V Car Adaptor: 25 H |
Output Ports |
AC Output(x1): 120V~ 60Hz 25A Max AC Output(x3): 120V~ 60Hz 20A Max USB-C Output(x2): 100W Max, 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓5A Car Port(x1): 12V,10A Max |
AC Output(x3): 120V, 60Hz, 2,200W (4,400W Peak) USB-A Output(x2): Quick Charge 3.0, 18W Max USB-C Output(x2): 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) Car Port(x1): 12V⎓10A |
AC Output(x5): AC Output(×4):120V~ 60Hz, 20A Max, AC Output(×1):120V~ 60Hz, 25A Max, AC Total Output,3000W Max, 6000W surge peak USB-A Output(x2): Quick Charge 3.0, 18W Max USB-C Output(x2): 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) Car Port(x1): 12V⎓10A |
Working Hours |
Electric Furnace: 1.2 H - 2H |
Electric Furnace: 55 Minutes - 1.4 H |
Electric Furnace: 50 Minutes - 1.5 H |
Gas Furnace: 2.5 - 5 H |
Gas Furnace: 3.6 - 7 H |
Gas Furnace: 3.4 - 7 H |
|
What Are the Factors Affecting the Furnace Wattage?
How many watts a furnace uses depends on various factors, including the type of furnace, the area to be covered, the size of the furnace, the weather, and the furnace's efficiency.
The size of an electric furnace is stated in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The larger furnaces, the more power it will need. Alternatively, the more efficient a furnace will require less power. Your area's climate and the room's space or size also influence the power consumption.
Furnace Wattage FAQs
1. What size of solar generator do I need to run my furnace?
Generally, a 2000-watt solar generator is enough to power a furnace. However, it mainly depends on how many watts your furnace uses. You can estimate the required size of the solar generator using the following calculation.
How to calculate the working hours of a solar generator
Working time = Capacity Wh * 0.85 / wattage of your furnace
For example, we take the general example of a 2000W furnace.
The Jackery solar generator 3000 Pro Working time will be 3024Wh * 0.85 / 2000w = 1.28 hrs.
These estimates are based on 85% efficiency of the generators, considering there is always some loss of efficiency during transmission and operation. Therefore, we multiply the given efficiency by 0.85.
Another important point to note here is that this is the working time of Jackery 3000 pro when the furnace is taking 2000 watts continuously. However, furnaces only run the heating sometimes. They cycle between on and off, and thus, a 2000-watt furnace will be using 1300 watts an hour, so the running time of the solar generator will be far better.
2. What's the best time to run an electric furnace?
The electric power companies usually charge you a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan. It means running your furnace during off-peak hours will be cheaper, i.e., usually overnight.
3. How much power does a furnace motor use?
The standard fan motor consumes about 400 watts per hour. On the other hand, the high-efficiency variable-speed models may use about 75 watts per hour!
Final Thoughts
A furnace is an expensive piece of equipment in terms of operating cost. Many people want to know how many watts a furnace uses to plan their usage and also to look for alternative energy sources to power their furnaces. We have discussed the power needs for gas and electric furnaces above, and it is very reassuring to know that solar generators can also power them. Jackery has a wide range of high-capacity solar generators that are great choices indoors and outdoors.
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