Which Appliances Use the Most Energy in a Typical Home?

An average homeowner spends approximately $1,368 a year on electricity. In our day-to-day lives, we use five to six home appliances to complete everyday tasks, and more appliances are used to make our lives more comfortable.

 Often, homeowners wonder how to reduce energy consumption. This article will cover which appliances use the most energy and how you can minimize energy usage.

Air conditioning and heating systems

By far, air conditioning and heating are the number one reason your electricity bill is so high. In fact, up to 47% of a typical home’s energy consumption is spent on heating and cooling. As a result, the household budget will take a hit, with the average annual cost per household of around $662 for heating and $394 for air conditioning.

To reduce electricity consumption, try minimizing air conditioning and heating use during the warmest and coldest periods of the year.

Water heater

Next in line among the most used home appliances, water heaters take up 14% of the annual electricity bill. Since a typical water heater operates for at least three hours a day, the average cost per household for this appliance equals $317 a year. You can prevent your water heater from turning on too often by using less water and lowering the temperature setting.

Washer and dryer

The washer and dryer typically consume 13% of a household’s monthly energy usage. What’s more, the average cost of operating these two appliances amounts to $143 per year. The most effective way of reducing this is to limit the use of the washer and dryer. Another energy-saving method is to use cold water cycles.

Lighting

Depending on the size of the home, lighting may account for 12% of the electricity bills. Another factor that could influence residential energy consumption is the type of light bulb. The most energy-saving light bulbs available are LED light bulbs. However, the most efficient way of reducing light usage is by simply turning off lights when they’re not needed.

Other household appliances

Refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and other appliances take up 13% of the household electricity bill. Refrigerators account for approximately 4%, dishwashers 2%, and electric ovens and stoves 3 to 4% of the residential energy usage. To save money, you can organize the refrigerator better and operate the dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded.

“Vampire” appliances

“Vampire” appliances are electronics that use energy even when they’re not turned on, including computers, TVs, printers, landlines, routers, microwaves, DVD players, and such. They make up 2% of the monthly energy consumption, and the easiest way to cut down energy consumption is to unplug them.

Conserve energy

There are many reasons that your electricity bill is higher than usual. However, if none of these energy-saving methods seems to be working, the best option would be to consult a professional electrical company. Not only will they be able to find out what exactly is the cause, but they will also advise on how to conserve energy and reduce electricity bills.

When you need a licensed electrician for commercial or residential electrical needs, call Zimmerman Electric at 310-378-1323.