How much electricity does a 3D printer use?
A desktop 3D printer can consume between 50 and 350 watt-hours and cost approximately €0.006 to €0.018 per hour.
You've probably wondered how much electricity your 3D printer uses and how much it affects your electricity bill.
In this article, I'll provide you with all the information you need to understand a 3D printer's power consumption—specifically focusing on the popular Ender 3—and how to calculate it.
I'll also give you some tips on how to save energy when printing and assess the energy efficiency of these devices compared to other common household appliances.
How to Find Out How Much Electricity a 3D Printer Uses
To find out how much electricity your 3D printer uses, You can use an electricity meter.
This device can be plugged in between the 3D printer and the power outlet and measures the amount of electricity used over a given period of time.
Some meters also offer additional features, such as calculating the monetary cost of electricity usage.
These meters are easy to use—simply plug your 3D printer into the meter and the meter into an outlet, then let the printer run normally for a specific amount of time, such as one hour.
After that time, you'll be able to see your electricity usage on the meter in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is the standard unit for measuring electricity consumption.
You can also calculate the cost of the electricity your printer has used by multiplying its consumption in kWh by the cost per kWh in your region.
These electricity meters are available at specialty stores and online platforms such as Amazon and Mercado Libre.
Here's a link to Amazon from a consumption meter that has more than 1,800 reviews.
How much electricity does a 3D printer use per hour?
The power consumption of a 3D printer can vary depending on the model, brand, and specific features of the printer.
On average, a 3D printer consumes about 50 to 350 watts per hour while printing.
In the case of the Ender 3, a 3D printer that is very popular among hobbyists and beginners, its power consumption can range from approximately 50 to 270 watts per hour during printing.
It is important to note that material consumption varies depending on the material used, the temperature of the nozzle and the print bed, the print speed, and other factors.
How to Calculate the Power Consumption of a 3D Printer
If you want to calculate your 3D printer's energy consumption, you can use this simple formula:
Energy consumption = Printer power (in watts) × Printing time (in hours) × Cost per kWh in your region (in money).
For example, if your 3D printer has a power rating of 150 watts and you've used it for 2 hours for a print, and the cost per kWh in your area is 0.12 euros, the calculation would be as follows:
Energy consumption = 150 watts × 2 hours × 0.12 euros/kWh = 36 cents.
With this calculation, you'll get a more accurate idea of how much it costs to print with your 3D printer.
Remember that as you print more pages, you'll add up the cost of each print job to get the total electricity cost.
How much electricity does an Ender 3 use?
The Ender 3 is known for being an energy-efficient 3D printer. Let's see how its power consumption varies under different conditions:
At rest:
When the printer is in standby mode—that is, turned on but not printing—its power consumption is minimal, generally around 10 watts per hour.
In this state, the printer is ready to receive commands and does not require much power.
Warming up:
While the nozzle and print bed are heating up, power consumption increases.
In this state, the Ender 3 can consume about 50 to 320 watts-hour, depending on the temperature at which the components are being heated.
When heating only the nozzle, the Ender 3 consumes an average of about 50 watts.
On the other hand, when only the heated bed is on, the Ender 3 consumes an average of about 250 watts.
Printing:
During the printing process, the Ender 3 typically maintains a constant power consumption of approximately 50 watts per hour, spiking up to 270 watts to keep the print bed hot.
Power consumption remains within that range while the printer is working on creating your model.
It is important to note that these values are approximate and may vary depending on your printer's specific settings, as well as the model and print quality you are using.
How much does 3D printing cost?
The cost of 3D printing depends on several factors, such as the material used, the size of the model, and the printer's power consumption.
Energy consumption is only one part of the total cost of 3D printing, but it's important to take it into account.
To calculate the total cost of a 3D print, you must add up the electricity consumption, the cost of the material used (filament), and any other additional costs, such as printer usage time and component wear and tear.
- Affordable 3D Printer: About 200 euros (Here you can see a Top 10 Best 3D Printers for Beginners)
- Average cost of 1k of filament: 20 euros (Here you can see the Best-Selling Filaments (on Amazon)
- Average energy cost per kWh: € 0.12
The cost of printing materials varies depending on the type and brand of filament used. You may also want to consider the cost of printing time, especially if you're using a printer in a commercial setting.
Here you can see how much electricity your 3D printer uses in terms of the price per kWh:
- Average price per kWh – € 0.12
- Power Consumption of the 3D Printer : 0.05 to 0.15 kWh
If the 3D printer runs without any interruptions, you can expect to pay the following:
- Per Hour – €0.006 and €0.018
- Per day : €0.15 and €0.43
- By year : €54.75 and €157.68
If you would like a more accurate estimate of the total cost of printing a specific model, I recommend using online calculators that will help you estimate the material and electricity costs for a specific print job.
Here's the link to the 3D printing price calculator from Prusa Research
Factors Affecting the Energy Consumption of a 3D Printer
A 3D printer's power consumption can vary due to a number of factors. Some of the main factors that can affect power consumption are as follows:
- Printer Size
- Heated Bed Size
- Hotend/Print Temperature
- Motherboard, fans, stepper motors, and display
- The number of printing hours
Printer size: Larger 3D printers with larger print volumes generally consume more energy because they need to move larger and heavier components.
Heated bed size: The heated bed is one of the components that consumes the most energy in a 3D printer. The larger the bed, the more electricity is required to reach and maintain the desired temperature.
Hotend or print temperature: If you're printing at higher temperatures, energy consumption will increase, since more energy is required to heat the nozzle and the material to higher temperatures.
Motherboard, fans, stepper motors, and display: All of the printer's electronic components and motors require power to operate, so a printer with more features and components may consume more electricity.
Number of printing hours: Obviously, the longer you print, the more energy your 3D printer will consume. If you do long or continuous prints, your electricity consumption is likely to be higher.
It is essential to take these factors into account when evaluating how much electricity your 3D printer consumes and comparing it with other models or brands to find the most efficient option for your needs.
How to Save Energy When 3D Printing
If you're concerned about your 3D printer's power consumption and want to save energy, here are some practical tips:
1- Reduce printing time: Optimize your models to reduce print time whenever possible. Use thinner infills and layers only when necessary.
2- Do not use the heated bed when printing with PLA: Some materials, such as PLA, do not require a heated bed to adhere properly. When printing with PLA, turning off the heated bed can save a significant amount of energy.
3- Put the 3D printer in a box: An enclosed enclosure around the printer can help keep the ambient temperature more consistent, which could reduce the need to overheat the bed or the nozzle.
4- Optimize print speed: Adjusting the print speed appropriately can reduce the total print time and, therefore, power consumption.
5- Turn off the printer when it is not in use: If you're not printing, turn off the printer to avoid unnecessary electricity consumption in sleep mode.
These tips will help you reduce your 3D printer's electricity consumption and, at the same time, save money on your electric bill.
Are 3D printers energy-efficient?
To assess the energy efficiency of a 3D printer, it is helpful to compare its power consumption with that of other common household appliances.
Here is a comparison chart showing the average power consumption of an Ender 3 3D printer compared to other devices:
| Device | Electricity consumption (watts per hour) |
|---|---|
| Ender 3 3D Printer | 50-350 |
| Electric kettle | 1000-3000 |
| Refrigerator | 100-200 |
| Electric oven | 2000-3000 |
| Microwave | 600-1500 |
| Electric Iron | 1000-1500 |
| Computer | 300-600 |
| Video game console | 50-200 |
| LED TV | 25-175 |
| Wi-Fi Router | 5-20 |
| Vacuum Cleaner | 500-1800 |
| Toaster | 600-1500 |
As you can see, the Ender 3 3D printer is much more energy-efficient than other common household appliances, especially those that require a lot of power, such as electric kettles and ovens.
It's important to remember that your 3D printer's energy efficiency can be further improved by implementing energy-saving practices, such as those mentioned above.
Conclusions
A desktop 3D printer can consume between 50 and 350 watt-hours and cost approximately €0.15 to €0.43 per day.
The Ender 3, being a popular and efficient 3D printer, has reasonable power consumption, especially when compared to other electrical appliances in the home.
By using electricity meters and following energy-saving tips, you can optimize your 3D printer's power consumption and enjoy high-quality prints without compromising performance.
Keep in mind that every 3D printer is different, so it's important to know the specifications and features of your specific model to find out its power consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much electricity does a 3D printer use per hour?
The power consumption of a 3D printer can vary depending on the model and operating conditions. On average, a 3D printer consumes about 50 to 350 watts while printing and between €0.006 and €0.018 per hour.
How much electricity does an Ender 3 use?
The Ender 3, a popular and efficient 3D printer, It consumes approximately 50 to 270 watts per hour while printing. It also consumes a minimal amount of electricity when idle—approximately 10 watts.
How can I find out how much energy my 3D printer uses?
You can find out how much energy your 3D printer uses using an electricity meter. These devices are plugged in between the printer and the power outlet and measure power consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
You can also calculate energy consumption by multiplying the printer's power in watts by the printing time in hours and the cost per kWh in your region.
How many kWh does a 3D printer consume per hour?
The power consumption of a 3D printer can vary depending on the model and operating conditions. On average, a 3D printer can consume about 0.05 to 0.3 kWh per hour while printing.
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