Otis Singleton
Many factors influence a household's electricity consumption, from the number of occupants to the type of lighting used. However, heating and cooling appliances are consistently cited as the biggest users of electricity in the home, with air conditioners, heaters, and water heaters accounting for a significant portion of annual electricity usage. Other notable electricity consumers include refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and electronic entertainment devices such as televisions and video game consoles. Understanding which appliances use the most electricity can help homeowners make informed choices about energy efficiency and explore alternative energy sources such as solar panels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Heating and cooling appliances | 25%+ of annual electricity usage |
| Electric water heaters | 2nd biggest energy consumer in some homes |
| Lights | 300 kWh per month for 50 bulbs |
| Electronics | 4% of energy use |
| Refrigerators | 4% of annual consumption |
| Ovens | Varies depending on usage and self-cleaning features |
| Laundry appliances | 17% of energy use |
| Dishwashers | More electricity than desktop computers |
| Microwaves | More electricity than ceiling fans |
| Hair dryers | More electricity than ceiling fans |
| Irons | More electricity than ceiling fans |
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What You'll Learn
Heating and cooling appliances
In the context of a household, heaters are the biggest users of energy, accounting for 31.3% of a home's total energy consumption. The mechanisms to operate devices that heat homes and water contribute to energy consumption, adding 1.1% to the overall energy usage in a home. Gas heaters, for instance, lose heat through the flue or open windows for unflued products, and they also require electricity to power fans and other electrical components. Ducted heating systems can be expensive to operate due to their significant gas consumption and electricity requirements for fans.
Air conditioning and electric heat are also substantial contributors to electricity consumption in the home. The global energy demand for cooling is projected to increase by 45% by 2050 compared to 2016 levels, driven by rising global temperatures and the increasing availability of cooling appliances in developing countries. Ducted evaporative coolers are an alternative to air conditioners, consuming less than half of the electricity while providing similar cooling capacities.
To reduce energy consumption associated with heating and cooling, smart electrification strategies can be employed. Remote-controlled heating and cooling systems utilize predictive and adaptive algorithms to adjust settings based on real-time power market conditions and consumer needs, ensuring comfort at lower prices. Thermal storage is another method, where storing water-based heat can increase the share of cooling demand met by solar photovoltaic sources.
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Lights
Having around 50 bulbs in a household can result in a monthly electricity usage of about 300 kWh. To reduce electricity usage and costs, it is recommended to switch to LED bulbs. Additionally, bulbs with lower wattage can also help reduce consumption.
While lights may not be the biggest energy drain in a household, they can contribute to a notable portion of the electricity bill, especially when combined with other electronic devices. Electronics, including televisions, cable boxes, and video game consoles, can utilize a substantial amount of electricity, especially when left on standby.
To save on lighting costs, it is advisable to use energy-efficient bulbs, such as LEDs, and to be mindful of the number of lights turned on at once. Additionally, reducing the usage of other electronic devices can also help lower overall electricity consumption and expenses.
Another way to reduce lighting costs is to maximize natural light during the day. By utilizing windows and skylights, you can brighten your home without relying solely on artificial lighting. This not only saves on electricity but can also provide health benefits by connecting you to the outdoors and improving your mood.
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Refrigerators
The amount of electricity a refrigerator uses varies depending on a variety of factors, including the model, brand, how full it is, how well it has been maintained, its age, and other factors.
A standard refrigerator/freezer combo uses between 300 and 800 watts of electricity, on average. The age of the refrigerator, its location in the home, and how much food is stored in it can all affect this number. For example, if your refrigerator is packed full of food, airflow is restricted, requiring more energy to keep things cold.
According to EnergySage, a good rule of thumb is to divide your fridge’s rated wattage by three to estimate its actual energy use. So, if you have a 500-watt refrigerator, you’re using about 150–175 watts most of the time. This amounts to approximately 1,463 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is important to know since that’s the per-unit rate of electricity that your utility charges. The national average price of electricity is $0.14 per kWh, and the average home’s total consumption is 10,632 kWh a year, which totals $1,452.12 yearly. So, your fridge accounts for a bit more than 10% of the average home’s total electric bill.
If your refrigerator is more than 10 years old, upgrading to a newer model could reduce your energy consumption drastically. Refrigerator energy efficiency has improved drastically in recent years. Purchasing an EnergyStar-rated refrigerator can save you money in the long run by reducing your electric bill and lengthening the lifespan of your refrigerator.
There are also ways to improve the energy efficiency of your current refrigerator. For example, defrost your refrigerator and freezer as needed, as frost buildup will cause performance deterioration over time. Keeping the doors closed is also important, as the more time the door is open, the harder the refrigerator must work to get back to temperature.
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Entertainment electronics
The amount of electricity consumed by these devices depends on their wattage and usage duration. For example, a 100-watt incandescent light bulb left on for two hours daily consumes 0.2 kWh per day or 6 kWh monthly. In contrast, a more energy-efficient LED bulb consumes around 7 watts, resulting in lower electricity usage. Similarly, the type of television, computer, or console and its energy efficiency influence electricity consumption.
Watching television for five hours daily and playing video games for six hours weekly can result in these devices consuming about 55 kWh of electricity per month. Additionally, these electronics often remain on standby, drawing power even when not actively in use, contributing to waste energy.
The impact of entertainment electronics on electricity consumption has been a subject of research since the 1990s. The rise of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and the increasing market saturation of new, cheaper ICT entertainment devices have led to a notable increase in household electricity consumption. In Europe, household electricity consumption from small electronic appliances, including ICT, rose by 2.5 times in 2011 compared to 1990.
To reduce electricity consumption and associated costs, it is essential to consider the wattage and energy efficiency of entertainment electronics when purchasing new devices. Additionally, simple habits such as turning off devices when not in use and avoiding leaving them on standby can help lower electricity usage and save money on utility bills.
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Water heaters
The consumption of a water heater depends on its capacity in litres and its energy efficiency rating. Larger heaters can heat more water, resulting in a lower monthly cost despite consuming more kWh. The consumption of electric water heaters can vary between 400 and 3000 kWh per year, and this information is typically found on the heater's energy efficiency label.
To calculate the electricity consumption of a water heater in kWh, you can multiply its power in watts by the heating time in hours. First, convert the power from watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1000. Then, convert the heating time by dividing the minutes by 60 and adding them to the hours.
To reduce the energy consumption of your water heater, you can implement several measures. Lowering the thermostat setting to 120° F can provide sufficient hot water for most household uses while reducing the risk of scalding. Limiting shower durations and installing low-flow faucets and showerheads can decrease the amount of hot water used, reducing the workload on the heater. Additionally, insulating your water tank with an inexpensive blanket can help retain heat, reducing the energy required to warm it up again.
Compared to electric water heaters, gas water heaters generally have lower monthly costs due to the typically lower prices of natural gas compared to electricity. However, the exact costs will depend on various factors, including the efficiency of the unit.
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Frequently asked questions
Heating and cooling appliances are the biggest consumers of electricity in the average household. This includes central air conditioners, heaters, and electric water heaters.
Appliances that produce heat tend to use a lot of electricity, such as hair dryers, irons, and microwave ovens. Other appliances that consume a lot of electricity include refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers.
Here are some ways to reduce electricity consumption:
- Install new, more energy-efficient appliances.
- Insulate your home to reduce heating and cooling costs.
- Use a dryer with a moisture sensor.
- Set the water heater to the lowest comfortable showering temperature.
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LEDs.
