With energy rates increasing and expected to increase even more in the future, it’s only natural for property owners to want to save as much as possible on utility costs. And while there are various energy-saving tips and tricks that can come in handy around the home and office, one often overlooked piece of the puzzle is electrical-powered appliances.
In this post, we’ll discuss what appliances in the home use the most energy and detail other steps on how you can conserve it to lower your monthly utility bills. Here’s a closer look:
The Top Energy-Using Household Appliances
Your Air Conditioner
A central air conditioner uses about 1,450-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per month. For reference, a washing machine only uses about 9 kWh per month. It’s quite a significant draw. The good news is that, depending on where you live, you’re likely to only use your air conditioner for parts of the year. However, during those parts of the year, your bills are likely to escalate. There are a few things you can do to conserve energy with your AC. First, invest in a smart thermostat that can better manage usage. Secondly, make sure you tune up your AC at least annually so it’s running as efficiently as possible. And three, when it’s time to invest in a new unit, select a more efficient Energy Star model.
Hot Water Heater
We all love a hot shower in the morning and washing our hands with warm water, but hot water heaters account for about 310 kWh of energy per month. And the more people that live in your household, the more hot water they’ll consume.
There are a few ways to conserve energy with your hot water heater. The easiest thing you can do is turn down the temperature. Most come preset at 130 degrees Fahrenheit, but only need to be set at about 120 degrees. This could save up to 10 percent per year on utility costs. Additionally, when it’s time for a new hot water heater, consider investing in a tankless model that can deliver hot water on demand. It’s estimated that tankless models can offer up to a 34 percent energy savings.
Refrigerator
The average refrigerator uses about 200 kWh of energy per month. Similar to the hot water heater, you might be able to adjust the temperature of your refrigerator to save on utility costs. Additionally, make sure you’re vacuuming its coils regularly so it’s running efficiently. And also be sure to check the seals and repair them if necessary to prevent cool air from escaping.
Dryer
The average household dryer uses about 75 kWh of energy per month. There are a variety of ways to decrease the energy draw of your dryer, including:
– Lower the heat setting. Even if the drying cycle lasts longer, you’ll use less overall energy.
– Make sure the lint trap and evaporator filters are always clean to ensure the dryer is running at peak efficiency.
– Don’t overload the dryer. This will only cause it to work harder and use more energy in doing so.
– Consider hang-drying garments if possible to reduce the amount of dryer run time.
– Make sure you’re utilizing energy-saving features, such as sensors that indicate when a load is dry and can stop the load prior to any timed setting.
– Invest in an Energy Star dryer when it’s time to purchase a new model.
Other Energy Savings Tips
When it comes to conserving energy, it’s usually a lot of small things that add up in the long run rather than one big thing that does the trick. Noting this, complement the energy-saving appliance tips that we’ve mentioned in this post with the following to truly maximize energy savings:
– Fix drafts in windows with weather stripping or caulk.
– Install ceiling fans to help with the airflow. Reversing ceiling fans in the winter months can help push heat back down.
– Make sure your HVAC system is maintained properly to ensure it’s operating as efficiently as possible.
– Unplug appliances when they’re not in use to avoid “phantom power” consumption that they still may draw.
Contact Tidal Electrical Services Today
For more information on what appliances use the most energy and how to conserve energy better around the home, contact Tidal Electrical Services today.
