Microwaves draw 600–1,100 watts while actively heating, but they run only a few minutes per day for most households. The bulk of their energy use is instant and concentrated, so they're relatively cheap to operate.
| Basis | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per hour (while running, 1100 W typical) | $0.21 |
| Per day (0.25 h/day, 7/7 days) | $0.052 |
| Per month | $1.58 |
| Per year | $18.91 |
| Hourly range (small 700 W – large 1500 W) | $0.13 – $0.28 |
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