Certain household devices can significantly increase your monthly energy expenses. Knowing which appliances use the most power in your home can help you manage your energy bills more effectively. Here are 19 household devices that greatly increase your energy costs.
Dishwasher
Most of the energy used by dishwashers goes into heating the water. This means that you should run full loads to maximize the use of the energy being used by the dishwasher. Just shove your dirty dishes in the dishwasher until it’s full – out of sight out of mind!
Oven
How much energy your oven uses depends on whether it’s gas or electric. Unfortunately, a lot of energy is wasted when you preheat the oven. To bring down your energy costs, you could use microwaves or toaster ovens for small meals.
Television
Forbes says “the average U.S. adult […] watches almost six hours of television” per day. Factors like screen size and how long you watch it affect how much energy your TV uses. So, if you watch TV for too long, you won’t get square eyes, but you might get a massive bill!
Computer
Energy consumption varies between desktops and laptops, with laptops being significantly more energy-efficient. However, if you or your children use a computer for gaming, this will increase the costs. Managing your computer’s power by using sleep and energy-saving modes is key to keeping costs under control.
Water Heater
It’s important to compare tank and tankless water heaters to find out which is the cheaper option for you. According to The Spruce, “tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than tank water heaters by as much as 34-percent.” To save more money, you should lower the thermostat and make sure older units are insulated well.
Refrigerator
The older the refrigerator, the less efficient it tends to be. Just like us, really! Larger fridges also use more power, as they are trying to keep a bigger area cool. It’s important to maintain the seals on your fridge to save more energy.
Clothes Dryer
The heating element in clothes dryers consumes a lot of energy! You should air dry clothes whenever possible to reduce costs, hanging your washing outside if the weather allows it. Regularly clearing the lint filter and checking for vent blockages will also help your dryer work more efficiently.
Air Conditioning
Frequently using air conditioning during hot months can significantly increase your energy use. Switching to more energy-efficient options like ceiling fans and window units may help you save money. However, I know nothing works as well as air-con, so if you must, just make sure it’s properly maintained to reduce costs.
Pool Pump
If you’re lucky enough to have a pool at your house, this might be significantly adding to your energy bill. Knowing the best amount of time for which to run your pool pump will help you stay on top of the costs. Also, cleaning and servicing your pump will help maintain its efficiency.
Freezer
As you would expect, standalone freezers use more energy than others. There are a few tips to help reduce the energy usage of your freezer, which include regularly defrosting your freezer and keeping it well-organized so that you don’t have to keep the door open for as long.
Coffee Maker
According to the National Coffee Association, “7 in 10 Americans drink coffee every week; 62% drink coffee every day.” While it’s cheaper than buying coffee from a coffee shop daily, a coffee maker can increase your energy costs. It’s often more energy-efficient to make a whole pot rather than one cup.
Hair Dryer
Hair dryers can use quite a lot of energy, so it might be more beneficial to towel or air dry your hair. This can be a big ask getting some people to compromise on their drying and styling routine! Luckily, you can find newer hair dryer models that use less energy.
Microwave Oven
Microwave ovens are more efficient than normal ovens; however, they can still suck up quite a bit of energy. To save some money, you should check your microwave’s settings, use the right containers, monitor the cooking time, and make sure your microwave is clean.
Electric Kettle
An electric kettle will save you money in comparison to boiling water on a stovetop. However, electric kettles still significantly contribute to your energy bill. Make sure you’re only boiling the amount of water that you need to not waste energy.
Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are essential appliances, especially in humid climates, so it’s important to evaluate whether the energy being spent on your dehumidifier is worth it. The size of your dehumidifier, its settings, and whether it’s clean, can impact its energy use, so make sure to monitor these factors.
Gaming Consoles
The Pew Research Center points out that “43% of U.S. adults say they often or sometimes play video games.” Your energy bills can be greatly increased by the use of gaming consoles. However, their energy usage depends on how long you are using them, so be mindful of gaming time to conserve energy.
Electric Toothbrush
This might seem like a minuscule item, but it requires charging very frequently, so the energy use adds up over time. There aren’t many things you can do to combat this without sacrificing your dental health by going back to using a manual toothbrush (horror), but you can find some battery-powered models.
Home Theater System
The individual parts of a home theater system, such as amplifiers, speakers, and subwoofers will all play a part in increasing your energy bill. There are tips and tricks to reduce how much energy a home theater system uses, for example, using specific settings and using energy-efficient equipment.
Washing Machine
With a washing machine, energy costs increase greatly when using warmer cycles, so it’s important to wash on cold whenever possible. Washing full loads will also help you make the most of the energy being spent on your washing machine.
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