I dislike wasting energy as much as the next person, I will turn off the light when leaving a room. I must have the habit from my childhood because my parents always said, “You need to turn off the light when leaving a room!” Of course, I have become like my mom, running after my kids to make sure they turn off the light when they leave. There’s a reason for this, okay? Sophisticated devices, appliances, and electronics for sale are not cheap. That’s why I unplug devices when not in use, because they still draw power even when they are “off” but plugged in. I’m not kidding. I even unplug my charger when my phone isn’t charging. It all adds up in the long run.
Did you know that there are certain appliances you own in your own home that use more power than other ones? As you might be thinking, they are very busily consuming your electricity. You likely don’t even notice!
The Most Power-Hungry Appliances
Okay, first things first, the refrigerator. This sucker is always on the go! But, I guess we want it to be, right?! It keeps food fresh, and it keeps ice cream from being melted ice. Since it is always on, however, it is using a lot of power. Most likely, if your refrigerator is older, it is less efficient than the new ones. Refrigerators that are older are also in the garage? They’re probably using energy like there is no tomorrow.
So let’s talk about the air conditioner. I love a breeze in the summertime. And have you ever noticed how your electricity bill seems to explode in the summer? That’s because your air conditioner is likely working hard to keep your home comfortable. It’s a fact of life, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a big deal and incredibly time-consuming.
Some devices, like televisions, game consoles, and audio/video devices, appear completely harmless. However, they can affect your electricity bill. Today’s TVs contribute a substantial amount to your electricity consumption, especially big screen and/or high definition TVs. Both consume a lot of electricity. And it’s no secret game consoles are energy hogs. Even when they are “on” or in “standby” mode. Audio/video devices, such as surround sound and streaming devices, also use energy.
All of this may not seem very substantial. However, when they are added together, they will contribute to a sizable amount of your consumption.
To keep your bill down: don’t use them when they aren’t required; buy energy star certified models. Periodically monitor usage by switching them “off” when not in use. You can also put them on a power strip.
Last but not least, let’s discuss the water heater. Whether it’s for a hot shower, washing dishes, or doing laundry, the water heater is always there. It’s usually working in the background.
It’s critical to remember that from a consumption perspective, the water heater ranks as one of the largest costs to a household in energy charges.
Identifying Your Energy Use
So, how can you tell which appliances in the house actually use the most energy? One way to do this is with an energy monitor. These monitors can be plugged directly into appliances to tell how much energy they really consume. I am sure you will be surprised by the numbers. The first time I plugged in the energy monitor, I was stunned by how much energy the dryer was pulling. It felt like I was watching money burn.
You may also want to check the energy star rating of your older appliances. Most modern versions come with energy star ratings. This can provide some basis for estimating how much power these devices will consume. If you are still using the old microwave that you grabbed from your parents, you may want to consider an upgrade.
Another option is to reference your electricity bill and see if there is in fact a reference to your power usage. Some utility companies offer usage reports. These can help you know when you are using your energy. You might discover you have high costs in certain periods during the year. This may help you develop an understanding of what devices lead to significant increases in your costs.
Practical Ways to Reduce Energy Use
So, how could we avoid all of this energy loss? First, we’ll take a look at your refrigerator. Make sure there are no cracks for cold air to escape into the room. If you have an old fridge, consider replacing it with a newer model that is designed to be more energy efficient. Always keep your fridge full. A full fridge stays colder than an empty fridge.
Next, your air conditioning unit. It’s best to have it serviced regularly. You should also get into the habit of regularly cleaning or changing your filters. Have a programmable thermostat in your house. Doing this allows you to control when it cools your house. So it only cools when you are at home. I set mine to start cooling an hour before I get home from work, and it works great.
Your water heater should be set to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is plenty hot enough for most of your uses, and you will be much more energy efficient. You should also insulate your water heater and the first few feet of hot water piping to reduce heat loss.
Another thing I do to save energy is utilizing smart power strips. These can cut power to devices that are sitting idle. You know, when you leave your TV or game console off, but the little red light is still on? That still uses energy. Smart power strips can help with this wasted energy.
Small Habits That Make a Big Difference
Then we have what I would call “good old-fashioned habits.” Turn the lights off when you leave a room. Unplug your chargers and any other devices that might or might not be in use in your outlet. Go for the energy-efficient bulbs. I have even adopted the habit of air-drying some of my clothes instead of using the dryer. This is just to be more efficient with my energy usage. It is a little extra work, but I find it is worth it when I notice the difference on my bill.
In the end, it all adds up. Knowing the appliances that you use the most often can certainly save you a lot of money on your power bills. More importantly, you will be doing your part to help protect the environment. This is always a great bonus in my opinion.
