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How Many Amps Does a Vacuum Use?

Updated Jul 15, 2022 7:15 PM

How many amps does a vacuum cleaner use? It’s a fair question, especially if you’re looking to invest in a new vacuum or a top-rated vacuum. If you’re looking for efficient cleaning, then you need a high-amp vacuum. That isn’t to say that vacuums with lower power won’t be effective. You just don’t get the same cleaning power as you might otherwise.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • If you’re looking for energy efficiency, then a high suction power vacuum cleaner is probably not the best option since their electricity consumption is so high.
  • Domestic appliance power ratings are used across the board for appliances, not just your standard home vacuum cleaner.
  • An average vacuum cleaner will fall between 8- and 12-amps for power, with anything higher than that being impossible for a wall outlet to process.

How Many Amps Does a Vacuum Cleaner Use?

So, how many amps does a vacuum cleaner use? And how significant is this number to you? Does it affect how long a vacuum cleaner lasts? Do the amps matter depending on your cleaning job, such as using a vacuum for pool cleaning? There are a few things you need to understand about the math behind the number. Luckily, it isn’t all too difficult to grasp.

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Explaining Amperage Rating

An amperage rating is the maximum amount of electrical current that your entire vacuum cleaner can process. A powerful vacuum cleaner will have a higher rating, which translates into extra energy use. If you’re looking for greener cleaning equipment, you might consider a lower rating which translates into less energy consumption. You should always consider what tasks the vacuum will perform when you think about amp rating. For example, a bee vacuum uses low suction, so it probably doesn’t need a high amp rating. On the other hand, you may need a high amp rating to use a wet-dry vac for water

How Amps Are Measured

You will typically find 8- to 12-Amp vacuum cleaners, with the highest rating being 12. The manufacturer measures this to check how much power the motor can process. Higher amps translate to a more efficient vacuum motor but can also mean a noisier machine.

The Highest Amp Rating Available

The highest rating possible belongs to 12-Amp vacuum cleaners. This is because the wall outlet is unable to provide extra energy usage due to its constraints. Even if the entire vacuum cleaner claims that it has a higher rating, check the fine print. They aren’t telling you the true amperage rating.

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F.A.Q.

What are the downsides of having a high suction power vacuum cleaner?

Having powerful suction is excellent, but there are a few downsides:

  • Powerful vacuums tend to be noisy
  • A high level of suction power can harm delicate carpets
  • A stronger motor will cause higher energy consumption

Best vacuum cleaners by suction – Is suction power that important?

Vacuum suction power matters no matter who you are. Having a high level of suction means your carpets will be far cleaner. Suction is essential because it increases cleaning efficiency. However, this increased cleaning power comes with a trade-off. The powerful motor might be noisier than other types of vacuum cleaners, and it’ll undoubtedly take more energy.


How Much Energy Does My Vacuum Cleaner Use?

The answer to this depends on your specific model. A standard home vacuum cleaner usually doesn’t use that much energy. Bulkier or more powerful models will consume more energy over time.


Do More Vacuum Cleaner Amps Mean More Power?

In general, more amps will mean a more powerful vacuum cleaner. It is important to remember that a few other factors come into play when discussing vacuum suction power.


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