Pressure washer vs. leaf blower: running cost
A leaf blower is cheaper to run: about $3 a year versus $8 for a pressure washer at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $6 difference.
| Pressure washer | Leaf blower | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,800 W | 1,200 W |
| Watt range | 1,200–1,900 W | 300–1,500 W |
| Typical use | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year |
| Energy per year | 47 kWh | 16 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 32¢ | 22¢ |
| Cost per day | 4.6¢ | 1.5¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.41 | $0.47 |
| Cost per year | $8 | $3 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $20 | $7 |
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What drives the difference
- Pressure washer: Electric pressure washers draw 13-15 A (1,500-1,800 W) while the trigger is pulled; most homes use one a few times a year.
- Leaf blower: Corded blowers draw 7-12 A (about 900-1,450 W); battery blowers use about 0.2-0.4 kWh per recharge.
Ways to cut either cost
Less runtime at lower power than corded models for typical yards.
See options on AmazonCleans flat surfaces much faster, cutting run time.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a pressure washer or a leaf blower?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a pressure washer costs about $8 a year versus $3 for a leaf blower. That's $6 more, or 3.0× as much.
How many watts do pressure washer and leaf blower use?
A pressure washer typically draws 1,800 W (range 1,200–1,900 W). A leaf blower draws 1,200 W (range 300–1,500 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.