In a world where the cost of energy continues to rise, it is crucial to know the electrical consumption of our appliances. Dolce Gusto coffee makers are known for their energy efficiency. Although manufacturers generally do not provide specific details about energy consumption, we can easily calculate it based on electrical power and usage time.
Surprisingly, a daily Dolce Gusto consumption consumes less than 10 kWh per year, translating to an annual cost of approximately $1,5, an insignificant figure on the electricity bill.
Calculation of the electrical consumption of a Dolce Gusto coffee maker:
Electrical Power: Dolce Gusto coffee makers have an average power of 1,500W, primarily focused on the thermoblock (water heater), while the water pump uses only about 50W.
Preparation Time: It takes approximately 60 seconds to prepare a coffee, including the time it takes to heat the water from a cold coffee maker.
Breakdown of energy consumption:
- Per Coffee:
- Time of use: 60 seconds (0.01667 hours).
- Energy Consumed: 1,500W (Mini Me) x 0.01667h = 25Wh, equivalent to 0.025kWh.
- Annual (365 coffees):
- Total consumption: 9.12 kWh.
- Estimated cost (at $0.1629/kWh in the US*): $1.49 per year.
Important note on energy savings: I recommend turning off the coffee maker after use. Although the Dolce Gusto has an auto-off mode, manually deactivating it prevents residual energy consumption from the thermoblock.
Components that consume energy in a Dolce Gusto
If you are familiar with my guide on troubleshooting Dolce Gusto machines, you will know these devices have several key components. Below, these components are broken down by location and energy consumption.
Components by zone:
- Upper zone: Includes the preparation lever, injector, capsule holder, beverage selector, and sensors.
- Middle zone: Comprised of the control plate, wiring, sensor outputs, and tubing.
- Lower zone: Here, you’ll find the thermoblock, pump, flowmeter, fuses, additional tubing, and wiring.
Energy consumption of the components:
- Thermoblock: With a power of approximately 1,500W, it is the component that consumes the most energy. It activates immediately after turning on the coffee maker, heating up to 187 ºF, at which point the thermostat disconnects the circuit.
- Water pump: Although it consumes significantly less (around 5% of the thermoblock, approximately 50W), it plays a crucial role in coffee preparation. The operating time varies between 8 and 33 seconds, depending on the selected coffee volume.
- Control board and LED power button: These have almost negligible energy consumption.
Table of preparation times by volume: A detailed table shows the different operating times of the water pump for each selected coffee volume.
| Scale values | Volume | Time |
| Segment 1 (bottom) | 53 ml | 8 sec |
| Segment 2 | 68 ml | 12 sec |
| Segment 3 | 94 ml | 21 sec |
| Segment 4 | 130 ml | 22 sec |
| Segment 5 | 146 ml | 25 sec |
| Segment 6 | 173 ml | 29 sec |
| Segment 7 (top) | 230 ml | 31 sec |
| Segment 7 (+ XL) | 300 ml | 33 sec |
Note about the LED power button: After preparing coffee, the power button light blinks in red for 2 or 3 seconds, indicating that the thermoblock is heating up again. However, this additional consumption time is minimal.
Do all Dolce Gusto models consume the same?
Similarities and differences in design: Although Dolce Gusto coffee maker models vary in their external design and internal component arrangement, they share fundamental characteristics regarding components and options available to the user. This suggests that, despite their aesthetic differences, their basic operation and energy efficiency are comparable.
Comparison of electrical power between models: To provide a clear perspective on these similarities, the table below shows the power ratings of the most popular Dolce Gusto models. This comparison allows you to visualize the small differences in electrical consumption that may exist between different models:
| MODEL | POWER (W) | ANNUAL CONSUMPTION (kWh) | ANNUAL COST ($) |
| Mini Me | 1,500 | 9.125 | 1.49 |
| Piccolo XS | 1,600 | 9.728 | 1.58 |
| Infinissima | 1,500 | 9.125 | 1.49 |
| Genio Plus | 1,600 | 9.728 | 1.58 |
| Lumio | 1,600 | 9.728 | 1.58 |
| Genio 2 | 1,460 | 8.887 | 1.45 |
| Magesto | 1,460 | 8.887 | 1.45 |
Conclusion:
From the research I have conducted to prepare this article, I have drawn several very interesting conclusions that I would like to share with you:
- The electricity cost of a Dolce Gusto coffee maker is just $1.5. The cost of 10 coffee capsules far exceeds this value, so we should not be overly concerned about the coffee maker’s electricity consumption but rather focus on finding good deals on coffee capsules.
- All Dolce Gusto models consume approximately the same amount of energy. Since these coffee makers use the same components, their energy consumption is practically the same regardless of the model you purchase.
- Turning it off is better to save on standby power consumption when you’re not using the coffee maker.
Frequently asked questions about Dolce Gusto’s consumption
How much energy does a Dolce Gusto consume per year?
A daily usage of a Dolce Gusto consumes less than 10 kWh per year, translating to an annual cost of only $1.5.
How is the electrical consumption of a Dolce Gusto calculated?
An average power of 1,500W is considered. Preparing a coffee (60 seconds) consumes approximately 0.025 kWh. Annually, assuming daily use, this adds up to 9.12 kWh.
Which components of the Dolce Gusto consume the most energy?
The thermoblock is the component that consumes the most energy, with a power of approximately 1,500W. The water pump consumes significantly less, around 50W.
Do all Dolce Gusto models consume the same amount of energy?
Despite aesthetic and design differences, Dolce Gusto models have comparable energy efficiency because they use similar components.
