Minimum Usage

• Approximately 3,000 to 5,000 watts are necessary for basic household needs. This includes lighting, cooking, refrigerating food and pumping water (in a well). Additional electric devices for entertainment, heating and other uses are added to this minimum requirement.
  
  

Entertainment

• A 36-inch television requires about 133 watts, while a DVD/CD player uses 100 watts. A personal computer with a 17-inch monitor requires 800 watts.
  
  

Heating

• An average water heater uses 4,000 watts, while a clothes dryer requires 2,000 or more watts. Portable heaters use 750 or more watts and hair dryers require at least 1,200 watts.
  
  

Other Electrical Devices

• A clock radio requires 10 watts and a coffee maker uses 900 or more watts. A clothes iron requires a minimum of 1,000 watts while a toaster requires 800 or more watts. The owner's manual lists the watts required by the device.