How Much Electricity Do Home Appliances Use in Pakistan?

Knowing which appliances use the most electricity is the fastest way to understand — and control — your monthly bill. The numbers below are based on typical wattages for equipment sold in Pakistan. Actual consumption varies by age, model, and usage pattern, but these estimates are close enough for planning purposes.

How to Calculate Any Appliance's Monthly Units

The formula is: (Wattage ÷ 1,000) × Hours per day × Days per month = monthly units (kWh).

A 1,200-watt AC running 8 hours a day for 30 days: (1,200 ÷ 1,000) × 8 × 30 = 288 units. Multiply those units by your effective per-unit rate (which depends on your slab and protected/unprotected status) to get the rupee cost.

Air Conditioners — The Biggest Variable

Air conditioners dominate Pakistani electricity bills in summer for a simple reason: they run for long hours at relatively high wattage. The difference between inverter and non-inverter models is significant in practice.

• 1-ton non-inverter AC (1,100–1,300W): 8 hrs/day = 264–312 units/month
• 1.5-ton non-inverter AC (1,500–1,800W): 8 hrs/day = 360–432 units/month
• 2-ton non-inverter AC (2,000–2,400W): 8 hrs/day = 480–576 units/month
• 1-ton inverter AC (300–1,100W average ~600W): 8 hrs/day ≈ 144 units/month
• 1.5-ton inverter AC (350–1,500W average ~750W): 8 hrs/day ≈ 180 units/month
• 2-ton inverter AC (400–2,000W average ~1,000W): 8 hrs/day ≈ 240 units/month
• Inverter ACs modulate their compressor speed rather than cycling it on/off — in moderate heat they draw far less than their rated peak, which is where the savings come from
• Setting the thermostat at 24°C instead of 18°C can cut AC consumption by 20–30% with minimal comfort difference

Refrigerators and Freezers

Refrigerators run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so even modest wattage adds up. A compressor doesn't run continuously — it cycles on and off — so the 'average wattage' figure is what matters for billing.

• Small fridge (100–200 litre, single door): 80–120W average = 58–86 units/month
• Medium fridge (200–350 litre, double door): 120–180W average = 86–130 units/month
• Large fridge/freezer combo (350L+): 160–250W average = 115–180 units/month
• Deep freezer (chest type, 150–300 litre): 90–150W average = 65–108 units/month
• Old compressor fridges (10+ years): often run 30–50% above their original label, consider replacement

Fans and Lighting

Fans run year-round in most Pakistani homes. LED lighting is now widespread, but older CFL and incandescent bulbs still appear in many households — the wattage difference matters at scale.

• Standard ceiling fan (75–80W): 12 hrs/day = about 27–29 units/month
• Energy-saver fan (50–55W): 12 hrs/day = about 18–20 units/month
• Pedestal/stand fan (60–70W): 12 hrs/day = about 22–25 units/month
• LED bulb (7–12W): 6 hrs/day = 1.3–2.2 units/month each
• CFL bulb (18–23W): 6 hrs/day = 3.2–4.1 units/month each
• Tube light with electronic ballast (36W): 8 hrs/day = 8.6 units/month
• Old choke tube light (36W tube + 15W choke = 51W): 8 hrs/day = 12.2 units/month
• Switching 10 CFL bulbs to LED saves approximately 20–30 units per month

Water Pumps and Geysers

Water pumps and geysers are often underestimated contributors to Pakistani electricity bills. The geyser in particular uses very high wattage for a short time — enough to matter if you're close to a slab boundary.

• Submersible pump (0.5–1HP = 370–750W): 2 hrs/day = 22–45 units/month
• Surface pump (0.5HP = 370W): 1.5 hrs/day = 17 units/month
• Solar water pump: runs on solar power during daylight, no grid units consumed
• Electric geyser/water heater (2,000–3,000W): 45 min/day = 45–68 units/month
• Gas geyser: uses gas, not electricity — check your SNGPL bill instead
• Instant electric geyser (3,000W): shorter run time but higher draw when on — treat as 2 hrs/month total
• Consider using the geyser only during off-peak hours if you have a TOU meter

Kitchen and Laundry Appliances

These appliances run intermittently, so their monthly consumption is lower than always-on devices, but they can still add 20–60 units per month depending on frequency of use.

• Microwave oven (800–1,200W): 20 min/day = 8–12 units/month
• Electric oven/toaster oven (1,500–2,000W): 30 min/day = 22–30 units/month
• Washing machine (400–600W motor + heating): cold wash only ≈ 5–8 units/month, hot wash ≈ 30–40
• Iron (1,000–1,500W): 30 min/day, 3 times/week = 6–9 units/month
• Rice cooker (500–700W): 45 min/day = 11–16 units/month
• Electric kettle (1,500–2,000W): 10 min/day = 7–10 units/month
• Television (LED 40", 60–100W): 5 hrs/day = 9–15 units/month
• Desktop computer + monitor (200–350W): 4 hrs/day = 24–42 units/month
• Laptop (40–80W): 6 hrs/day = 7–14 units/month

A Typical Pakistani Home: Monthly Units Estimate

A joint family of 6–8 people in Punjab, running through summer with two ACs, will typically see 600–900 units per month. In winter without AC, the same home might drop to 150–250 units. The difference is almost entirely the ACs and how aggressively they run.

A smaller apartment with one 1.5-ton inverter AC, a refrigerator, fans, LED lighting, and a washing machine will typically land at 180–280 units in summer and 80–120 in winter.

Use Electricity Bill's calculator to estimate your bill based on your specific usage. Then check your actual bill by entering your reference number — the difference between estimate and reality tells you where the hidden consumers are.