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How Many Watts Does a Circular Saw Use? (Answered)

Written by Edwin Jones / Fact checked by Andrew Wright

how many watts does a circular saw use

Identifying the wattage of a circular saw can help you determine energy costs. But first, you must know how many watts does a circular saw use.

Generally, a circular saw needs 2,400 watts to start. Then, it requires 1,200 watts to run throughout its operation.

Note that wattage can differ for each model. Continue reading to learn the factors affecting circular saw wattage, along with other pieces of relevant information.

Typical Wattage Ratings For Circular Saws

Typical-Wattage-Ratings-For-Circular-Saws

Note that different circular saws have varying wattage ratings. Also, various factors can influence the power tool’s energy usage.

Nonetheless, you’ll generally find circular saws that continuously run at around 1,200 watts. But it’s possible to buy and use models with continuous wattage ratings of 1,440, 1,800, or even 2,400 watts.

You can also check a power tool wattage chart offered by certain brands and manufacturers. We’ve listed the specifications of some popular circular saws below.

Product Power Voltage Current
Dewalt DCS391B (cordless) 100 Wh 20 5 Ah
Skil 5280-01 (corded) 1800 W 120 15 A
Bosch CCS180B (cordless) 72 or 144 Wh 18 4 Ah or 8 Ah
Greenworks 7 ¼ inch circular saw (cordless) 96 Wh 24 5 Ah
Skil 7 ¼ inch Circular Saw (corded) 1440 W 120 12 A
Enventor 7 ¼ inch circular saw (corded) 1200 W 120 10 A

Factors Influencing Circular Saw Wattage

Various elements can influence a circular saw’s watt requirements. Some of them are:

1. Blade Size

Blade-Size-Influencing-Circular-Saw-Wattage

The larger the blade size, the more power the circular saw typically consumes. That also means that using a small blade may help reduce power consumption.

2. Blade Efficiency

Blade-Efficiency--Influencing-Circular-Saw-Wattage

Proper blade usage can also help lower the overall watts to run a circular saw. You’ll learn some tips and tricks to efficiently use this tool and reduce energy usage in a later section of this post.

3. Material to Cut

Material-to-Cut--Influencing-Circular-Saw-Wattage

A dense material might be tough to cut. If so, you might use more of the circular saw’s power than normal, increasing its energy usage.

4. Power Source

Note that a 120-volt circular saw normally requires more current to run than a 240-volt variant. So, using a 120-volt circular saw may cost more than using its 240-volt counterpart.

Determine the Power Consumption

power-consumption-chart

The Department of Energy recommends using an electricity usage monitor to help determine an electronic device’s power consumption. Doing so allows you to check the average wattage of your circular saw.

Leave the monitor running for a specific period, such as an hour or a day. Then return to it and read the information displayed on the screen to know the electricity usage.

Note that the running and starting wattage can also affect the tool’s overall power consumption. You’ll generally see the running watts in the product’s owner’s manual or on a sticker on the unit.

To calculate start-up wattage, it’s usually 1.5 times to twice the device’s running power usage. So, if you’re using a 1,200-watt circular saw, its continuous power usage may range from 1,800 to 2,400 watts.

A simple formula that will also work is power = current x voltage. You can multiply the device’s amperage or amp hours by its voltage to get the watts or watt hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

dewalt-circular-saw

How Much Will It Cost To Use A Circular Saw?

Note that the tool’s wattage and your location can influence power consumption costs. Here’s an example cost to power consumption chart to help you determine the expenses associated with running a 1,200-watt circular saw in May 2023.

Location Price per kWh ($) Hourly Costs ($)
Boston 0.33 0.39
Chicago 0.18 0.22
Atlanta 0.13 0.16
Denver 0.15 0.18
Los Angeles 0.27 0.32
  • Note: The values mentioned in the cost to watt usage chart are only estimates and aren’t end-all numbers for every circular saw user.

Tips For Efficient Circular Saw Usage

Learning to use a circular saw efficiently can help reduce power consumption. Here are some ways to ensure the power tool doesn’t work harder than normal:

  • Use a proper blade depth. Avoid setting the blade too deep, or it will use more energy, move out of position, and potentially cut your fingers o
  • Let the cutoff fall freely. The cut material should fall unrestricted.
  • Avoid cutting wood with support on both ends. It’s dangerous and messy.
  • Secure the blade guard when starting angled cuts to stop unwanted movement.
  • Go slow if you can. High saw speeds will require more energy.

How Many Watts Does a 15 Amp Saw Use?

The starting and running watts of a 15-amp saw depend on numerous factors. You can find the elements that influence these values in a previous section of this post.

For example, a particular Dewalt circular saw running at 15-amp 110-volt can use 1,650 watts. But this wattage might be smaller than average, especially if you’re using a larger unit.

What is the Difference Between Running Watts Vs Peak Watts?

Also called rated watts, running watts is the continuous electricity required to power an appliance or, in the case of this post, a circular saw. The wattage required to optimally run an electronic device differs per product.

On the other hand, peak or surge watts indicate the power required for the device to start. Often, starting watts are higher than running wattage. However, some devices like lights and laptops typically do not require significant starting power, if at all.

Conclusion

How many watts does a circular saw use? Remember, the wattage of this power tool can vary based on different factors. But you’ll typically see circular saws using 1,200 watts of continuous power.

Also, you can use an electricity usage monitor to check the tool’s average wattage. Finally, keep in mind that efficient circular saw usage, like setting proper blade depth and securing the blade guard, can help reduce energy consumption.

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