Knowing the amount of electricity your RV uses is not only the first step to stay on top of your electricity consumption, but it’s also extremely vital to switch to other forms of electricity.
If your question is “how much electricity does an RV use in one month?”, you’re in for a treat!
In today’s article, I’ll provide you with a complete guide that will help you calculate the average electricity consumption in your RV, how much it costs, in addition to ways to save on electricity costs. So without further ado, let’s jump right in!
How Much Electricity Do RVs Use on Average?
Ideally, an average-sized RV with typical consumption and appliances will use up to 20 kWh per day.
Multiplying that by 30 days or 365 days and you get a rough estimation of about 600 kWh per month or 7,300 kWh per year.
Calculating the Average Amount of Electricity
Now that you know the quick answer to the question, let’s dig in deeper to have a better understanding of this number and where it comes from.
First, you should know that electricity in an RV is measured in Kilowatt-hours (kWh). Also, you should keep in mind that 20 kWh per day is an average that may increase or decrease depending on a variety of factors.
For example, Air conditioning and heaters are among the appliances that have a major impact on daily consumption.
If you’re currently in a region where you need to cool down or warm up using these appliances, your consumption may surge above this average.
By excluding the consumption coming from heating or cooling, the average daily consumption is reduced up to 50%. This is to show you the extent of how much these devices will impact energy consumption!
How Much Does One Month of Electricity Cost in an RV?
Before calculating the average monthly costs of electricity in an RV, you should know that the prices of electricity will vary greatly depending on various factors.
One of the most prominent factors is, of course, the source of power used and the price of electricity in the region you’re based.
For example, while the national average cost of electricity in the U.S. is about 13.67 cents per 1 kWh. However, this average can go as high as 32.80 in Hawaii or as low as 9.65 in Idaho.
With an average of 15 to 25 kWh per day, we can easily estimate the costs of monthly consumption, which is about $61.5 to $102.5 depending on your average consumption.
If you’re planning to keep the RV heater or air conditioner on for extended periods of time, your average consumption can go as high as 40 to 50 kWh a day, which surges up the costs of electricity to about $184.5 per month.
How Do RVs Generate Electricity?
A typical RV will run on both alternative (AC) and direct (DC) currents. However, the electric grid of the RV itself uses the direct current, which means that it’s powered using a battery that is typically a 12-volt one.
You can charge these batteries in a variety of ways, such as alternators, electrical grids (power outlets), or solar panel systems. You can also exchange the electricity with a generator and use fuel as a source of power.
The RV will have a 120 volts power cord that allows it to draw power. This cord can be 30 or 50 amps. Ideally, a 30 amp allows you to a maximum of 3,600 watts at a time while 50 amps can go significantly higher (12,000 watts).
Will RV Parks Charge More for Electricity?
This depends mainly on the amount of time you’re going to spend in an RV park. For instance, if you’re going to stay in an overnight spot and leave the next day, you won’t have to pay for electricity.
However, if you’re planning to stay for a long time in the park, the spot will be metered and you’ll have to pay for the electricity you consume during your stay.
Is Using Solar Energy Panels a Viable Solution?
Using solar panels to produce electricity is a smart long-term investment because you’ll pay a large upfront cost but you’ll save a lot more on maintenance and electricity costs.
Back in the day, solar panels were quite pricey, which made it a non-practical solution despite how efficient it is. Today, solar panels are much cheaper. Yet, solar power batteries remain the main bulk of the cost.
The problem is, to run the average RV on solar energy, you’ll need to install multiple solar panels and batteries, which can easily cost thousands of dollars in total! For that reason, solar energy panels are yet to be the most efficient way to power up your RV.
How to Stay on Top of Your Energy Consumption in an RV
Now that you know how much electricity your RV will consume in a month and how much it’s going to cost you, here are some smart tips to help you save as much energy as possible without heavily impact your RV’s experience:
- Use Efficient and Cheap Heating Method: Using electricity to generate heat is highly inefficient, especially when compared to propane. This gas has a relatively low carbon footprint and provides ample heat for a low price.
- Use Proper Insulation: Spray foam and insulating curtains and denim will help in controlling the temperature inside the RV for a longer
- Consider the Weather While Traveling: Always choose a spot with good weather that won’t need extra heating or cooling.
- Buy Energy-Efficient Devices and Items in Your RV: a lot of appliances are marketed as energy-efficient. Such devices are an excellent long-term investment that will pay for themselves in saved electricity costs.
- Beware of Energy Fluctuation: Energy spikes in RV parks can ruin the electric circuits inside your devices. The best solution here is to use a suitable surge protector.
Wrap Up
There you have it! A brief guide that will help you answer the question “how much electricity does an RV use in one month?” and control your energy consumption and spending.