Trystan Casey
Many household appliances consume a lot of electricity, and it is important to be aware of them to save money and protect the environment. Heating and cooling appliances are the largest consumers of electricity in most households, with central air conditioners and heaters using large amounts of energy to maintain a set temperature. Other appliances that use a lot of energy include refrigerators, electric water heaters, washers/dryers, ovens, and ranges. Older appliances tend to consume more power than newer ones, and leaving old appliances running can waste money. Lighting also accounts for a significant portion of electricity usage, especially if lights are on for most of the day. Additionally, TV and cable boxes, as well as other vampire appliances that run even when not in use, can contribute to higher electricity bills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Heating and cooling appliances | 31.3% of a home's total energy consumption |
| Refrigerators | 162 kWh per month |
| Washers/dryers | |
| Electric water heaters | |
| Old appliances | |
| Lighting | 9% of a home's energy use |
| TV and cable boxes | 2% of monthly electricity total |
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What You'll Learn
Heating and cooling appliances
To reduce the energy consumption of heaters, one can consider installing a tankless water heater, which heats water only when needed, or a solar water heater, which uses renewable energy. These heaters are more energy-efficient than traditional heaters, which continuously heat water throughout the day.
Cooling a house requires significantly less energy than heating it, but it is still one of the top consumers of electricity, accounting for 10.7% of total energy consumption. Similar methods for reducing heat wastage can be applied to cooling, such as conducting an energy audit, installing insulation, and weatherstripping to seal gaps and cracks to prevent cool air from escaping.
Other heating and cooling appliances that contribute to energy consumption include pool heaters, spa heaters, and air conditioners (AC). To reduce energy costs, it is recommended to use energy-efficient appliances, such as those with the ENERGY STAR rating, and to take advantage of built-in energy-saving features like timers. Additionally, running appliances during periods of low electricity demand can help save on electricity costs, as prices fluctuate depending on demand.
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Older appliances
In addition, older appliances may have accumulated dust or experienced deterioration over time, further reducing their energy efficiency. For instance, loss of refrigerant, deterioration of insulation and door seals, and accumulated dust around the compressor and coils can cause older fridges to use much more energy than when they were new.
Upgrading to newer, more energy-efficient appliances can lead to surprising energy savings. A new, efficient replacement refrigerator may provide energy savings of up to 50%. Similarly, a 4-star rated fridge uses approximately 40% less energy than a 2-star rated fridge, resulting in significant electricity cost savings over the appliance's lifetime.
Additionally, older appliances may have higher operating costs due to their decreased energy efficiency. For example, an older oven may consume more power than a newer model, leading to higher electricity bills. By replacing older appliances with newer, more efficient ones, you can reduce your energy expenditures by up to half of what you were previously paying.
Therefore, it is important to regularly maintain and upgrade older appliances to ensure they are operating efficiently and not contributing excessively to your electricity consumption and bills.
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Refrigerators
The amount of electricity a refrigerator uses depends on several factors. Firstly, the age of the appliance plays a role, with older fridges typically using more power. A new fridge, less than 10 years old, will run at under 100 watts, whereas an older fridge can have a significant impact on your electricity bill. Replacing an old fridge with a newer model can result in substantial savings, as shown by the example of a family whose electric bill dropped by a third after replacing an old fridge in their basement.
The location of the refrigerator and the amount of food stored can also affect electricity usage. Fridges positioned in warmer areas of the house or packed with food may require more energy to maintain a cool temperature. A standard refrigerator/freezer combo typically uses between 300 and 800 watts of electricity, although the actual energy usage is often less than the stated wattage as fridges cycle on and off throughout the day.
To estimate the actual energy usage of your refrigerator, you can divide the rated wattage by three. For example, a 500-watt refrigerator will use approximately 150-175 watts most of the time. This translates to about 1,463 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, which is important as this is typically the per-unit rate of electricity charged by utilities.
The cost of running a refrigerator will depend on the electricity rates in your region. On average, it costs around $20 a month or $240 a year to run a refrigerator, which amounts to a little over 10% of the average home's total electric bill.
To monitor your refrigerator's energy usage, you can use devices such as the Schneider Energy Monitor, which provides exact data on appliance energy consumption. Understanding your refrigerator's energy usage can help you make informed decisions about your energy usage and explore options like solar panels to reduce your electricity bills.
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Cooking appliances
One of the biggest users of electricity in the kitchen is the oven. A standard oven uses 2,500 watts on medium-high heat, which is more than a stove, which uses 1,500 watts on the same setting. Using an oven for an hour a day results in 75 kWh a month. There are ways to reduce this consumption, however. For example, you could opt to use smaller appliances such as a toaster oven, microwave, or slow cooker. You could also avoid preheating the oven unless it is necessary for the dish, and turn off the burners a few minutes before the end of cooking to let the residual heat finish the job.
Another way to reduce electricity usage in the kitchen is to use the dishwasher and laundry machines during periods of low electricity demand. The price of electricity is usually highest in the mid-evening when everyone is cooking dinner, so waiting until later at night or scheduling washing for during the day can help to save money.
It is also worth noting that older appliances tend to take more power than newer ones. Upgrading to a new, more efficient model can therefore help to reduce energy consumption.
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Lighting
The wattage of a bulb, the type of bulb, and the length of time it is used all influence a household's energy bills. A 100-watt incandescent bulb left on for two hours a day uses about 0.2 kWh a day or 6 kWh per month. Incandescent bulbs are the most inefficient type of lightbulb. While they have a lower upfront cost, they don't last as long as other options and use more energy.
LED lightbulbs are the most energy-efficient choice. They have a higher upfront cost but use significantly less energy and last much longer, leading to long-term cost savings. According to the Energy Saving Trust, if the average household replaced all halogen bulbs with LEDs, it would cost about £180, but they could save around £45 a year in Great Britain and £50 in Northern Ireland.
Smart lighting that detects when a person leaves a room can also help save energy.
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Frequently asked questions
Heating and cooling appliances consume the most electricity in the average household, including central air conditioners and heaters.
Older appliances tend to take more power than newer ones. Refrigerators, washers/dryers, electric water heaters, ovens, and ranges are also among the highest energy-consuming appliances.
To reduce electricity consumption, you can:
- Purchase energy-efficient models, such as ENERGY STAR-rated appliances.
- Regularly clean your appliances.
- Only use appliances when necessary.
- Unplug appliances when not in use.
