Which appliance will use the most kilowatts in a normal four person household in one month?

Question

(a) television

(b) vacuum cleaner

(c) water heater

(d) waterbed

(e) coffee percolator

Answer 1

A?

Answer 2

Of the appliances listed, I would have to guess c) water heater, though d) waterbed may be the answer.

Although the vacuum cleaner and the coffee percolator use a fair amount of power while they are on, neither is on for more than about a half-hour a day.  The television set is on a lot, but it uses less power than any of the other appliances listed when it is on.

Both the water heater and the waterbed burn up a considerable amount of power when running, especially the water heater.  However, the demand for hot water is intermittent.  Most of the power consumption is there to make up for lost heat.  Although the waterbed doesn't require as much power as the water heater, it must be on continuously.  If the water were to become uncomfortably cold, the bed would be unusable for several hours before the water could be warmed again.