Is running larger appliances off 240v more efficient than 120v?

1st off most appliances can not have there voltages switched.

To find out the total wattage used you need to use this formula Watts = Volts x Amps to find out your wattage you also need to know the amperage of the appliance. The amperage also depends on the load (amount of work the motor is put under) it's like a electric heater with different heat settings the low setting uses less wattage and puts out less heat the high setting uses more wattage and puts out more heat but, the voltage will stay the same.

So to find out the Wattage you need this formula Watts = Volts x Amps

There is no efficiency gain at the load from powering the load from 240V.

You pay for watts. If for instance you had a heater that had two elements. Each element was rated at 10 watts at 120 volts. Then you could wire the elements in parallel and get 20 watts total from 120 volts. Or you might could rewire the elements so they are in series and get 20 watts and power them from a 240 volt source. Either way you pay for 20 watts.

However there would be a slight efficiency gain because you are using less current. Less current over the length of the conductors means less voltage drop. Less power is wasted over the length of the conductor and you can deliver more voltage to the load resulting in greater power from the load. Of course this all depends on the length of the conductor and conductor size.

This gain in efficiency for pretty much all residential uses that you're concerned with is minimal at best. Running a toaster at 240 as opposed to 120 isn't going to net you much at all in reduction of line losses.

As far as heating anything any faster. You have to again look at the power developed. If you need 20 watts to heat your water with, and you can get 20 watts from 120 volts or you can get 20 watts from 240 volts... what does it matter. You're still getting the power you need.

Hi, When you are paying for electricity the units you are paying for are basically watts over a determined time. When you change the voltage on an appliance, motor, or whatever you are changing the required amperage. Say that you have a 400 watt lamp that runs on 240v and another 400 watt lamp that runs on 120v. They cost you the same to run, difference being that your house service can run twice as many 240 volt lamps because they require half the amperage. Power in watts is equal to Volts multiplied by Amps. Hope this helps.

ok here is how it works i am a electrician and i insall hot tubs.so the answer to your question is yes if your appliance allows for 220 rather than 110 it is cheaper for 2 reasons. #1 it takes less time for the appliance to perform its function like heating up water and it has less electrical draw thus pulling less amps through your meter. So if you can put your appliances like stoves, hot water heaters, A-C units , and hot tubs on 220 it is allways cheaper.

(example) to heat a 4 person hottub with 110 it takes 24 to 30 hours. and on 220 it only takes 3-5 hours so witch do you think is more efficient.

You pay for kilowatt hours which is a measurement of energy used. It comes out the same and most of your appliances will not run on 220 volts..

Ohms law...It takes one amp to push one volt through one watt. So...If all else is the same, a device that uses 4 amps at 120 volts will use 2 amps at 240 volts...half the power half the power bill...I've made this fairly simple as I figure you don't want a science lecture...

Yes more efficient....

No way to say HOW much cheaper... too many factors and not enough info here.

David B is right.

Goodness there is some self assured drivel out there!!!

You sparkies need to read your notes again!

Nope - its just takes longer when you use 120V (if your appliance

is set up to accept either)

It is cheaper, But is your appliances wired for it?