How many people pedaling bikes does it take to power a washing machine heating water?
About 20 people pedalingA washing machine heating water needs about 2,000 W, and a rider makes about 100 W.
It takes about 20 people pedaling.
How we worked it out
A washing machine heating water needs about 2,000 W, and a rider makes about 100 W. Each rider keeps up a steady 100 watts, like a brisk ride. Real life adds a little friction and waste, so treat the number as a solid ballpark rather than a lab result. The constants behind every experiment are on the science page.
Watch it happen
This was one of the five experiments in It Took #4. In the game you guess first, then the experiment plays out with your number: too few and it fails, too many and it overshoots.
Play It Took #4Play today’s experiments
More pedal power questions
- How many people pedaling bikes does it take to power a toaster? About 10.
- How many people pedaling bikes does it take to power an average US home? About 12.
- How many people pedaling bikes does it take to power an electric kettle? About 20.
- How many people pedaling bikes does it take to power an electric car cruising on the highway? About 200.
- How many people pedaling bikes does it take to power an electric car fast charger? About 1,500.