Read equipment labels correctly
Nameplate amps vs watts
How to read appliance labels when planning temporary heaters, dehumidifiers, fans and portable AC units.
Safety boundary: this guide is for early planning only. It does not inspect hidden wiring, sign off an installation or replace a competent electrician.
Use input power, not output claims
For a load check, you need input watts or amps. A heater wattage is usually direct electrical input. Portable AC and drying kit may show several ratings, so use the electrical input figure.
Convert only when needed
If the nameplate gives amps, multiply by volts for watts. If it gives watts, divide by volts for amps. Use the same voltage context for the whole plan.
What to do next
Collect nameplate values before equipment arrives. Then run the load check and keep a copy of the summary with your site notes.
Equipment next step: if the load plan is realistic, compare cooling fans and keep the calculation trail with your site notes.