What Home Appliances Cost the Most Electricity?

You Are Here:   Home > Automatic Appliance Parts Blog > What Home Appliances Cost the Most Electricity?

*** Please be aware that Norridge is the only shipping facility. Inventory on-hand at all other branches is unavailable for immediate shipment. ***
 

Not all home appliances function equally or need to be plugged in all the time. Some appliances, such as the refrigerator, must have a constant energy source to keep our food at the optimal temperature. Others, such as the television or computer, might only need an electrical source when in use. Home appliances have become central in modern living and are crucial to daily chores, clean households, and healthy living.

Some appliances may consume more than the rest of them. Understanding which appliances consume the most energy can help you control your power usage efficiently and prevent high electric bills. There are simple steps the average homeowner can take daily to help reduce energy consumption, prolong the life of your appliances, and save some money. Read on to learn about what home appliances consume the most electricity and ways you may minimize their usage.

Washer and Dryer

The home washer and dryer are essential to healthy living. Most homes with a washer and dryer have them in use consistently. Together, the two are responsible for about five percent of a typical home's energy usage. Using each one for just an hour a day uses about 91kWh monthly. Although clean clothes, bedding, and towels are a necessity, you can minimize your energy usage by doing the following:
      • Wash and dry full loads.
      • Use cold water when possible.
      • Avoid overfilling the machines.
      • Line dry clothes and large blankets when possible.
      • Clear out the lint trap after each drying cycle.

Taking the step above to save energy will also help the overall health of your machines and prolong their working life.

Television

Although televisions are not crucial to daily life, they have become a constant source of entertainment and a fixed feature of modernized life. It accounts for about 3% of a home's total energy usage. An average of 5 hours of television per day amounts to about 55kWh of energy consumption monthly. Televisions use something called standby power, which means they use energy even when powered off. Some steps you can take to minimize their power usage are to:
      • Turn down screen brightness on screens and monitors.
      • Turn off the quick start options.
      • Deactivate standby mode.
      • When purchasing new, select ENERGY STAR certified products.
      • Limit your screen time and try other bonding activities such as board games.

Lighting

A well-lit household is important for completing chores, late-night homework sessions, or a relaxed evening of reading. For most households, lighting usage is about nine percent of the entire energy usage per month. A single 100 watt light bulb, if left on for two hours daily, can add up to 6kWh per month. Multiply that by multiple lights within a household, on sporadically for several times a day, and the total energy consumptions grows immensely. A single house can easily rack up 300kWh per month on lighting alone. To curb the electricity usage, you can take the following measures:
      • Invest in energy-efficient LED light bulbs.
      • Take advantage of natural lighting by opening blinds or curtains.
      • Use solar powered outdoor lighting.
      • Turn lights off when you exit a room.
      • Install motion detectors on outdoor lighting and security spotlights.
      • Use a timer on holiday lighting fixtures to minimize the amount of time spent on.

Refrigerator and freezer

Refrigerators and freezers are important appliances that keep food and perishable goods safe for consumption and are on continuously. These important appliances require a constant source of electricity and are therefore typically responsible for about 30-200 kWh of energy usage per month. Although it is not recommended that you switch on and off your standalone freezer or refrigerator, there are measures you can take to help conserve energy when using these appliances. To conserve energy and save money on refrigerator usage:

      • Maintain your refrigerator by cleaning behind and underneath regularly.
      • Be sure the contents of the fridge have adequate airflow around them to maintain a consistent temperature within.
      • Place frequently used items in an area that is easily accessible.
      • Minimize the time you have the door open by grabbing all of your ingredients at once.
      • Keep the refrigerator and freezer settings at the manufacturer's recommended temperature.
      • When it is time to purchase a new one, select an energy-efficient model.

Water Heater

Homeowners typically use water heaters to launder clothes, clean dishes, shower and bathe, and to help other appliances run efficiently. Although the amount of energy used by the water heater varies based on factors such as the specific type or water heater or regular temperature setting, within a typical home the water heater uses about 400kWh per month and accounts for about 12 percent of the average home's energy use. Some measures you can take to lower the energy consumption of a water heater are to:
      • Keep the temperature setting at about 120ºF or lower.
      • Insulate the pipes.
      • Lower setting when you will be away for an extended time, such as a vacation.
      • Use a tank insulation jacket on older heaters.
      • Upgrade to a solar powered option.
      • Install shower heads and faucets that conserve water when in use.

Cooling and Heating System

As a household's central source of comfort from both hot summers and cold winters, the HVAC system in houses uses the most energy and accounts for nearly half of a typical household's energy usage. With varying temperature controls, settings, and features, HVAC systems can use anywhere from 850 kWh to 1,950 kWh monthly. You can reduce the usage by:
      • Installing ceiling fans to help regulate temperature and airflow.
      • Keeping the setting at 78ºF during the summer and 65ºF during colder months.
      • Performing annual maintenance on the unit.
      • Changing filters on a monthly basis.
      • Ensuring vents are clear and clean.
      • Using blinds to block out sun during hot summer days and keep rooms fresh.
      • Setting the thermostat lower while sleeping and away from home in the winter.

The average homeowner can help the environment by ensuring that all appliances are running at their best and taking a few extra measures to save on energy usage. Contact Automatic Appliance Parts Corporation with your questions or for your service and parts needs. We have wide selection available and our user-friendly online search index can help you find the part you need to help you save money by lowering your monthly energy bill.