Have you ever wondered how much power your garbage disposal unit consumes?
Knowing how many amps the garbage disposal uses before connecting it is better. Also, finding ways to reduce energy usage and lower costs is always a priority. But it can be difficult to make decisions if you’re unsure how many amps your garbage disposal uses.
In short, the average garbage disposal requires between 5 and 15 amp of power to operate. However, many factors can affect this usage, such as the size and type of your disposal and your home’s electrical system.
If you’re looking for a direct answer to “How many Amps does a garbage disposal use?” you’ve come to the right place. But that’s just the beginning – read on to learn more.
What Electrical Requirements Does Garbage Disposal Have?
The garbage disposal should be hardwired or connected to a grounded electrical outlet.
Also, the garbage disposal should be on its dedicated circuit. However, this is the standard electrical requirement for most garbage disposal types.
But many other garbage disposal brands or types might have different features and requirements.
Hence, it is better to check the manufacturer’s instructions about the electrical requirements from the user manual that comes with one new garbage disposal before you start to set up the garbage disposal.
How Many Amps Does Garbage Disposal Require?
Garbage disposal requires a circuit of 15 Amps, ideally. A 15 Amp dedicated circuit is the best option for setting up one garbage disposal.
Also, a garbage disposal can work on a 20 Amp circuit. Because in the kitchens of most houses, there is an electrical 20 Amp GFCI outlet under the kitchen sink.
And so, to avoid the extra hassle of setting up an outlet separately, most people prefer to use that GFCI outlet with 20 Amps under the sink to set up their garbage disposal.
However, garbage disposal does not use as much as 20 Amps to run. That is why you can also share the 20 Amp GFCI outlet wired to the garbage disposal with a dishwasher.
How Many Amps Does a 1/2 HP Garbage Disposal Require?
Are you using or about to use a garbage disposal with a horsepower of 1/2? Then, you should know how many amps a 1/2 hp garbage disposal requires.
A 1/2 horsepower garbage disposal motor typically utilizes around four amps. However, during starting, the motor may require about 13 amps to begin functioning correctly.
How Many Amps Does a 1/4 HP Garbage Disposal Require?
This is the least power of garbage disposal. It draws significantly fewer watts, and the amperage rate of the 1/4 hp garbage disposal is also considerably less.
A 1/4 HP garbage disposal typically requires 2-3 amps of electricity to operate.
Hence, if you have a garbage disposal of 1/4 hp, you do not have to worry about the amperage rate as it will easily fit any electrical outlet or circuit with space for other appliances to share.
How Many Amps Does a 3/4 HP Garbage Disposal Require?
There is a good chance that your garbage disposal has a horsepower of 3/4.
Now, you might have a question about how many amps a 3/4 hp garbage disposal requires. The amperage required for a 3/4 HP garbage disposal is usually 6.5 to 10 amps. But it may need more current during the start.
Hence, the best option for a 3/4 hp garbage disposal is a dedicated outlet of 15 amp.
How Much Power (W) Does Garbage Disposal Draw?
The amount of watts your garbage disposal will draw depends on your garbage disposal’s existing horsepower.
There are different levels and categories of horsepower that garbage disposals bear. Some of the most familiar horsepower figures for garbage disposal are 1/2, 1/4, and 3/4.
Thus, check the body of your garbage disposal to find out the value of the horsepower. If you do not get in the body, check the reader manual.
If you get the value of the horsepower of the garbage disposal, you will now be able to figure out how many watts they draw. The following table shows the available range of power usage.
| Horsepower of the Garbage Disposal | Amount of Power Use (Watts) |
|---|---|
| 1/4 HP | 250-300 |
| 1/2 HP | 450-700 |
| 3/4 HP | 700-900 |
| 1 HP | 800-1200 |
Note that the exact power usage of a garbage disposal may vary depending on model, age, and use. Therefore here, showing approximate values and provide a general idea of the power draw for garbage disposals of different horsepower ratings.
Garbage Disposal Shares a 20 Amp Circuit with the Dishwasher
If you plan to set up your garbage disposal to a 20 amp circuit, you can easily share the circuit with a dishwasher.
Even though a dedicated circuit is preferred in the garbage disposal and dishwashers, sharing these two appliances with a single circuit of 20 amps is not a bad idea.
Especially if you are looking forward to saving some extra time and energy for wiring the garbage disposal, you can go for the already set up 20 amp circuit of your kitchen and make it used for two appliances.
However, ensure you do not use both simultaneously while using a shared circuit for two appliances.
Because if you do so, combining them will draw a lot of amps. And the result might lead to a tripped circuit.
Hence, sharing a single circuit for two appliances might not be wise if you plan to use both machines simultaneously.
Can I Replace a 15 Amp Breaker with a 20 Amp One?
If you want to replace your breaker from 15 amps to 20 amps, it is better to consult an electrician before doing that.
But it is unnecessary as there will be no change in the performance of the garbage disposal by changing the breaker from 15 amp to 20.
Also, it is a risky move whether your breaker can be changed from 15 amp to 20 amp needs expert evaluation. Because failure to evaluate appropriately that your breaker is safe to change from 15 amp to 20 amp might lead to dangerous accidents.
Besides, if you plan to replace your breaker from 15 to 20 amps because of frequent tripping, that will be the most regretful decision.
Because this can potentially burn your house with an electrical fire from a high current, you should check why your circuit breaker tripped and see whether there are any leaks in the electrical line.
Changing a breaker from 15 amps to 20 amps is risky and costly. If you exclude the price of the switches, then the standard cost for replacing a circuit breaker is about 100 US dollars to 200 US Dollars.
Final Words
Do you have any other questions left about the electrical requirements and the amperage of the garbage disposal? I do not think so.
However, two significant suggestions would provide to you and would advise you to follow them strictly.
One is that read the manual before everything. Even if the manual is really boring and you do not feel like reading it all, still do it.
You do not want to miss any vital information about your garbage disposal’s requirements while setting up.
And the second suggestion is to consult and discuss with a professional electrician before setting up the garbage disposal yourself. An electrician will clarify the whole system and recommend the best option for your house.
Last but not least, be extra cautious while setting up the electrical stuff of the garbage disposal to avoid accidents. I hope you can pull it off perfectly without any hassles or trouble. All the best!
James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.