By Michael O. Smathers, Updated Mar 24, 2022
When you run motor‑powered appliances in your home or workshop, knowing their electrical usage helps you estimate the impact on your monthly utility bill. The key figure is kilowatt‑hours (kWh), the standard unit for household electricity consumption. Most motors display a horsepower (HP) rating on their identification plate, which you can use to calculate their power draw.
Locate the motor’s identification plate and note the horsepower value, usually marked as HP.
Use a calculator to multiply the HP by 0.746. This conversion factor is widely accepted; 1 hp ≈ 0.746 kW. The result gives the motor’s approximate power consumption per hour in kilowatts.
Multiply the kilowatt value by the number of hours the motor operates. The product, expressed in kilowatt‑hours, represents the total electrical energy the motor consumes during that period.
For more detailed information on motor efficiency and electrical calculations, visit WEN Technology.
