Ever looked at your electricity bill and wondered, “How much electricity does a treadmill use?” Depending on your treadmill and other factors, it could be less than your washing machine.
We’ve spent some time finding the info you need to give you an idea of the average cost to run a treadmill per year plus a few tips to reduce the cost.
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How much electricity does a treadmill use?
Having a treadmill at home is a useful tool to complement your outdoor training. It’s also a great way for the whole family to be more active, especially during the colder winter months.
While they are convenient, many users have probably wondered how much it costs to run on a treadmill.
The amount of electricity a treadmill uses depends on a few factors. This includes the model of the treadmill, the size of the motor, the duration and frequency of use, the speed, the incline settings, the user’s weight, and any extra features such as a touchscreen.
To work out the approximate cost, you need to calculate the watts of your treadmill.
What's the difference between horsepower (HP) and watts?
If you’ve been looking for a new treadmill, then you’ve probably noticed that some treadmill motors are in horsepower (HP) and others in watts. So “watts” the difference and what does that mean for your electricity bill?
Horsepower is a measure of power that indicates the amount of energy required to lift a weight of 550 pounds one foot in one second.
The treadmill’s horse power has a direct impact on the speed of the treadmill. For example if you read out NoblePro Elite E8i Treadmill review, you’ll see the Elite E8i has a 4.2HP motor, this is what allows it to run at the top of 4 min 23 seconds per mile.
On the other hand, watts measure the rate at which energy is being used. For example, a 100-watt lightbulb will use 100 watts of electricity every second. A 1000 watts is 1 kilowatt (kw).
One horsepower is equal to 746 watts.
Use this easy table to work out the watts based on your treadmill motor size.
| Motor Power | Watts |
| 1 HP | 746 |
| 2 HP | 1492 |
| 3 HP | 2238 |
| 4 HP | 2984 |
What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?
Most electricity companies use kilowatt-hours to measure electricity consumption. One kilowatt-hour equals using 1000 watts for one hour.
For example, if you have a 1000-watt hairdryer and use it for an hour, it would consume 1-kilowatt hour. Similarly, if you have a 100-watt appliance and use it for 10 hours, it will also have used 1kWh.
How much electricity does a treadmill use? Average yearly cost
The cost of running a treadmill will vary between brands and also users. Speed = watts, so if you’re sprinting on your treadmill, you’ll use more electricity.
Here’s a table to show the estimated electricity usage and cost for various treadmill motor sizes. It’s based on an average of three hours per week at an average speed.
| Motor Power | Watts | Kilowatt Hours per Year | Approximate Cost at $0.15 per kWh | Approximate Cost at £0.34 per kWh |
| 1 HP | 746 | 116.2 | $17.43 | £39.50 |
| 2 HP | 1492 | 232.4 | $34.86 | £79.00 |
| 3 HP | 2238 | 348.6 | $52.29 | £118.52 |
| 4 HP | 2984 | 464.8 | $69.72 | £158.03 |
The above estimates are based on the assumption that electricity costs $0.15 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in the USA and £0.34 per kWh in the UK.
The actual cost will vary from location to location and electricity providers and will also depend on various factors such as speed, incline and more.
How to work out the electricity cost of your treadmill
As electricity costs will vary depending on the treadmill model plus the individual’s use, follow these steps to work out how much electricity your treadmill uses.
If you’re into formula here it is:
Total cost = (Treadmill wattage x Hours of use per month) / 1000 x Cost per kilowatt hour
Step 1 – Find out the wattage of your treadmill. This should be in the user manual or on the treadmill.
Step 2 – Calculate how many hours you use the treadmill in a month.
Step 3 – Multiply the wattage of the treadmill by the number of hours you use it in a month. This will give you the total number of kilowatt hours used by your treadmill in a month.
Step 4 – Find out how much your electricity provider charges per kilowatt hour.
Step 5 – Multiply the number of kilowatt hours used by the cost per kilowatt hour charged by your electricity provider.
This will give you the total cost of electricity used by your treadmill in a month. Add this amount to your monthly electricity bill.
Factors that influence how much electricity a treadmill uses
There are several factors that can influence how much electricity your treadmill uses.
Motor size – The bigger the motor, the more electricity it consumes.
The duration and frequency of treadmill use – if you use the treadmill frequently or have long endurance sessions, then the treadmill will use more electricity.
Speed – The faster you run, the more power the treadmill will use.
Incline settings – The incline of a treadmill is controlled by the motor, so the more frequently you use the incline setting, the more electricity the treadmill will use.
Age of the treadmill – Older treadmills may consume more electricity due to wear and tear on the motor or their motors might not be as energy efficient as modern models. For example, the NoblePro Elite E8i uses about 8.55kWh per month which is equivalent to an LCD TV. Not only is this treadmill energy efficient but it also has built-in entertainment apps such as Netflix and Amazon Prime plus it effortlessly connects to running apps like Kinni, BitGym and Strava so that you can record your Strava treadmill run easily.
User’s weight – the treadmill will need to use more electricity to power heavier users.
Extra features – Additional features such as built-in fans or entertainment systems can increase electricity consumption.
How to save electricity on your treadmill
Here are a few tips to save electricity while using your treadmill.
Get outdoors for hills or sprints – save electricity by sprinting or tackling hills in the great outdoors. The only energy it will cost you is extra calories!
Keep your treadmill maintenance up to date – Make sure you keep your treadmill in good condition (see Should I put a mat under my treadmill) and the belt is lubricated. This will help it to run more efficiently.
Switch off the treadmill – Don’t keep your treadmill in idle mode. Turn it off when not in use to save electricity.
Opt for an energy-efficient treadmill like the NoblePro – NoblePro treadmills reach their peak power when starting up. Once the treadmill is in use, the power will reduce which saves electricity. In fact, running at 10kph will use half the amount of electricity as your washing machine!
FAQs
Should I unplug my treadmill when not in use?
You can keep your treadmill plugged in but we recommend switching it off on the machine and the plug point instead of leaving it in idle mode. This will help save electricity.
How much does a treadmill increase electric bill?
On average, depending on how much you use your treadmill and the model, you can expect it to cost US$10 to US$20 extra per month. Modern treadmills like the NoblePro (only in the UK) use about £2.91 per month.
How much does it cost to run on a treadmill?
The cost to run on a treadmill will vary but, on average, it’s about 10 to 20 cents per hour. If you want to save, head out into the great outdoors for longer runs.
Do treadmills use a lot of electricity?
Generally, the amount of electricity that a treadmill uses will depend on the model, the motor and the use. A high-powered treadmill will use more electricity than a low-powered one. We also suggest opting for modern treadmills that have energy-efficient motors.
How many watts does a 3HP treadmill use?
A 3HP treadmill uses about 2237 watts or 2.237 kilowatts. It will consume 2.237 units of electricity per hour.
Summary
- How much electricity does a treadmill use? It depends on a number of factors but generally, it’s less than you think.
- You can save electricity by getting outdoors, keeping your maintenance up and turning your treadmill off.
- Modern energy-efficient treadmills are designed to use less electricity.