How much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use? To be honest, I never gave it much thought—until I noticed my energy bills creeping up and started wondering where all that power was going.
Like most people, I vacuum regularly. Sometimes it’s just a quick clean-up after dinner, and other times it’s a full-on deep clean before guests come over.
But it got me thinking—does this machine I use so often actually draw a lot of power?
We plug in our vacuum cleaners without a second thought, but behind that humming motor is real electricity being used.
Some vacuums are small and quiet, others are loud and heavy-duty—but how much power do they really pull?
Is there a big difference between a cordless stick vacuum and a big upright one when it comes to electricity? And most importantly, how does it all add up on the bill?
This is exactly what I set out to understand. In this article, I’ll break it down in a simple, everyday way. No complicated math. Just real numbers, examples,
and tips that can help anyone—from a college student in a small apartment to a family with three pets—figure out what kind of energy their vacuum is using and whether it’s time to change a few habits.
Because once you understand how it works, you might be surprised how much you can save—without sacrificing a clean home.
What really affects your vacuum cleaner’s electricity use?
To be honest, when I first started wondering how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use, I assumed all vacuums were more or less the same.
Plug it in, clean the carpet, done. But the more I paid attention, the more I realized there are a few things that can change how much power your vacuum actually pulls.
The kind of vacuum you’re using makes a big difference
Over the years, I’ve owned a few different vacuums—from a heavy upright to a small cordless stick model. The upright one had serious power, but you could hear the motor working hard.
The stick vacuum felt easier to handle, but I had to run it longer for the same results. It turns out, larger vacuums (especially the old-school ones) usually use more electricity, while compact or modern models tend to run more efficiently.
How often you vacuum adds up
If you’re like me and you vacuum every other day—especially if you’ve got kids or pets—that’s quite a few hours of use every month. Even if your vacuum isn’t a power-hungry beast, using it often means the electricity use adds up.
Someone who vacuums once a week versus someone who vacuums daily? Their answers to how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use will be very different.
Suction level matters more than you’d think
Some vacuums let you control the suction power. I used to think, “Why not just keep it on high all the time?” But after testing it out,
I noticed my vacuum ran longer and louder—and probably used more energy—when I pushed it to full power for basic cleaning. If you’ve got options like eco or low mode, they’re actually worth using.
Age and condition of the vacuum
I once held on to a vacuum that was way past its prime. It still worked, but it seemed to take forever to get anything clean.
Later I found out, older motors can lose efficiency and start drawing more power without you realizing it. Since switching to a newer model, I’ve noticed a small drop in my electricity bill—and I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
Maintenance really does matter
It might sound boring, but keeping filters clean and emptying the dust container on time makes a real difference.
A clogged filter forces the motor to work harder, and that means higher energy use. I didn’t believe it until I cleaned mine out and suddenly the vacuum sounded smoother and stronger.
How to Calculate Vacuum Cleaner Electricity Usage at Home
First, Find Out Your Vacuum’s Wattage
Every vacuum cleaner runs on a different power level. If you want to figure out how much electricity your vacuum uses, the first step is to check the wattage. You’ll usually find it written near the plug or on a sticker under the machine.
For example, mine says 1400W — that means it draws 1.4 kilowatts per hour of use. It sounds technical, but once you know this number, it becomes a lot easier to break down your actual power usage.
The Simple Math Behind Energy Use
Once you have the wattage, the rest is easy. You just multiply the vacuum’s watts by the number of hours you use it, then divide by 1000.
So let’s say you clean for half an hour with a 1400W vacuum — that’s 1400 × 0.5 = 700, then divide by 1000. You get 0.7 kWh.
That’s the number your electric company uses to calculate your bill. And this is exactly **how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use** every session.
Your Electricity Bill Tells You the Rest
Now grab your latest electric bill. There’s usually a line showing how much you’re paying per kWh — in my case, it’s \$0.15.
Multiply that rate by the usage (let’s use 0.7 kWh from the last step), and you’ll see that one session costs about 10 cents. It’s not much, but over a month it starts to show up if you vacuum a lot.
Want Precision? Use a Plug Meter
I bought a small plug-in power meter online, and it tells me exactly how much power my vacuum draws in real time.
It’s especially helpful because I use different vacuums in the garage and in the house. Instead of guessing, I just check the display after I’m done cleaning. You’d be surprised — sometimes older vacuums eat up way more energy than you’d expect.
Estimate Monthly or Yearly Use
Once you know how much electricity a vacuum cleaner uses per session, you can multiply that by how often you vacuum each week.
For example, if you clean twice a week for 30 minutes each time, that’s four times a month. Multiply the kWh from one session by 4 and then by 12 to see the yearly usage. It’s a smart move — especially if you’re trying to cut down on energy bills or switch to a more efficient model.
Comparing Electricity Use of Different Vacuum Types
Upright vs Canister: Is One More Power Hungry?
I’ve used both upright and canister vacuums over the years. Uprights tend to feel stronger — and they usually are.
Most draw around 1300 to 1500 watts. Canisters can be a bit lighter on power. But here’s the catch — if the upright cleans faster, then you use it for a shorter time, so it might even out.
The real question you want to ask is: how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use per job, not just the raw wattage.
Cordless Vacuums: Small Motor, Big Savings
These little guys don’t pull power straight from your wall — they run off a battery. Charging the battery usually only takes a few dozen watts, and most of them run 30–60 minutes on a full charge.
I’ve noticed a real dip in my electricity usage after switching to a cordless for day-to-day cleanups. It may not suit deep cleaning, but for light daily use, it’s super efficient and barely touches the bill.
Robot Vacuums Seem Small, But They Run Often
I set my robot vacuum to clean every morning before I get up. It only uses around 50 watts, but since it runs almost daily, it adds up.
Over a month, that’s around 25–30 hours of cleaning. So even though it’s tiny, if you want to know how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use, you can’t just look at the size — you have to think about how often it runs.
Shop Vacs: Strong, but Power-Hungry
I use a shop vac for the garage and outdoor jobs, and wow — it really sucks up power. Mine’s rated at 1600 watts and gets hot after 10 minutes.
It’s great for tough messes, but I wouldn’t use it indoors unless necessary. You’ll definitely see a bump in your electricity if you use one regularly. Keep that in mind before dragging it out for light jobs.
Want to Save? Look for Eco-Friendly Models
A lot of newer vacuums come with energy-saving modes or labels like “low watt” or “energy smart.” I tried one recently and noticed the difference in both noise and power draw.
The suction was still strong enough for daily cleaning, but the power use was lower. If you’re the type who’s asking, how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use and you want to cut it down, these models are worth checking out.
What Everyday Factors Change How Much Electricity a Vacuum Cleaner Uses?
How often you vacuum really adds up
If you’re like me and vacuum a few times a week, you probably don’t think much about electricity. But when I started checking my usage,
I noticed how it added up over the month. It’s surprising how much electricity a vacuum cleaner uses just based on how often you plug it in.
Time spent vacuuming makes a difference
I timed myself once out of curiosity. A full house clean took nearly an hour — that’s an hour of constant power draw. When I started breaking the job into short sessions,
I saw a small dip in my electricity usage. So, how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use really depends on how long it’s running.
The type of flooring matters more than expected
Vacuuming thick carpet takes more power than running it over tiles or hardwood. I can actually hear the motor work harder on rugs.
That effort reflects on your bill. Even though it’s the same vacuum, the surface changes how much electricity it pulls.
An old vacuum eats more power
I used to think my old upright just needed a filter change, but it kept getting noisier and warmer. Eventually, I learned it was drawing more power than it should.
A new best vacuum cleaner brands vacuums, with efficient electric motors solved that — now I know firsthand that condition affects how much electricity a vacuum cleaner uses.
Blocked filters and full bags increase energy use
A vacuum that’s struggling to breathe works harder. I used to forget about clearing the filters, but once I made it a habit, I noticed smoother performance.
It’s not something we think about often, but poor airflow quietly increases how much electricity your vacuum consumes.
How Can You Cut Down on How Much Electricity a Vacuum Cleaner Uses?
Use the right settings — don’t overdo it
Many of us just turn the vacuum on and go. But I started noticing that when I used carpet mode on bare floors, the electric motor was louder and pulling harder than needed.
Switching to the right mode felt smoother and quieter — and likely reduced how much electricity the vacuum cleaner uses.
Keep your vacuum in top shape
I used to ignore the filter. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But after a while, the vacuum got sluggish. Cleaning and replacing the filters and emptying the bin made it feel brand new again.
A clean machine works less — which directly affects how much electricity a vacuum cleaner uses every time you clean.
Be efficient with your vacuuming style
I used to go over the same spot repeatedly without even thinking. Now, I take my time to vacuum in lines, one pass per section, and I cover more ground with less effort.
This change alone shortened my cleaning time, and that naturally reduced energy use.
Use a cordless vacuum for quick jobs
I don’t always need the big vacuum. If it’s just a bit of crumbs or pet hair, I grab the cordless. It charges fast and barely uses any electricity. Switching between models for different tasks has helped keep my energy use in check.
Vacuum during the day, not at night
Sounds unrelated, but it helps. Vacuuming during the day means I don’t need to turn on all the lights, especially in dark corners.
Natural daylight makes dust more visible too. It’s a small habit, but over the long run, it adds to how much electricity I save while cleaning.
Conclusion
When I first wondered *how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use*, I honestly thought it wouldn’t be much.
It’s just a few minutes of cleaning here and there, right? But once I looked into the numbers and paid closer attention to my vacuum’s label and my electricity bill, I realized it does add up — especially if you’re vacuuming often or using an older model.
It’s not something to stress over, but it’s worth thinking about. Being mindful of how much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use helps not just with bills but also with making smarter choices when buying or using one.
A few small changes — like cleaning the filters, choosing energy-efficient models, or vacuuming a little less often — can save more than you’d expect over a year.
So, if you’re like me and trying to keep a clean home without wasting energy, just knowing these small details really helps. It’s about balance — keeping your home fresh while also being kind to your wallet.
FAQS
How do I figure out how much electricity my vacuum actually uses at home?
Simple way? Check the wattage on the vacuum label, then multiply it by the number of hours you use it. Or plug it into a usage monitor — those little devices show you real-time energy use and cost. You’ll be surprised how much info you can get with one.
Does the vacuum cleaner’s wattage mean it’s more powerful?
Not always. I used to think higher watts meant stronger suction, but it’s not that straightforward. Some vacuums are just better designed. A well-sealed vacuum with efficient airflow can clean better even with lower wattage.
Are battery-powered vacuums better for saving electricity?
In some ways, yes. They use less energy and are great for small spaces. But for deep cleaning or larger homes, they might fall short. I think it depends more on how and where you use the vacuum than just whether it’s corded or cordless.
Can cleaning the filters help save electricity?
Definitely. I noticed that when I forget to clean my vacuum’s filters, it sounds louder and works harder. That means it’s using more power to do the same job. Clean filters = smoother suction = less strain.
What’s the real cost of running a vacuum every week?
It varies. Let’s say your vacuum is 1200 watts and you use it an hour per week — that’s about 1.2 kWh per week, or roughly 4.8 kWh a month. Depending on your electricity rate, it might cost just a couple of dollars monthly. It’s not huge, but if you’re on a tight budget, every bit helps.