When you’re living in a small apartment or condo, power consumption is something you need to keep an eye on. Even if you’re in a smaller space, you want to live comfortably without worrying about exceeding your electricity usage too much. Thankfully, there are so many options for home appliances that use less energy than older models. So, which ones are the biggest energy hogs? Read on to discover more about the power consumption of home appliances and which ones use the most power. Many different factors affect how much energy an appliance uses. From standby modes and light bulbs to functions like timers and remote controls, even small details can have a big impact on how much power a device uses. These devices can be broken into several categories ranging from general electronics to specific appliances like refrigerators or washing machines.
Electronic Devices
We’ll begin our list with the most commonly used electronic devices in the average home. To find out how much energy they use, you’ll need to know a few things, such as the voltage, the wattage, and the amount of time they’re used. You can usually find this information on the device or on the package it comes in. This information will help you calculate power consumption, which is measured in watts (W). One of the highest energy-use devices is the vacuum. This is because it draws a lot of power for the amount of time it’s in use. The average upright vacuum uses about 100 W, but that can vary depending on the model. We recommend finding a vacuum that has an energy-efficiency rating (EER) of at least 10.0. A water heater is another one of the highest energy-use devices. You can find out how much energy it uses by looking at the wattage and gallons per minute (GPM) listed on the label. The amount of energy your water heater uses can be reduced by adding insulation or switching to a more energy-efficient model. Your air conditioning unit uses energy when it’s on a timer or when the temperature is manually changed, so it’s a good idea to change the temperature to the highest possible setting for more efficient use.
Air Conditioners
An air conditioner is one of the highest energy-use devices in your home. When you’re buying a new model, make sure it’s Energy Star certified. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a well-maintained air conditioner can reduce your electricity bill by 10-25%. A central air conditioner uses about 25-50kW per hour. If you live in a warm climate, you might want to consider getting a smaller, more energy-efficient model. An air conditioning unit uses energy in two different ways. It uses energy while it’s on to cool your home, but it also uses energy while it’s off to maintain a certain temperature. To reduce the amount of energy your air conditioner uses, make sure it has proper insulation and use a programmable thermostat.
Heating and Cooling Equipment
Depending on where you live, you might use heating or cooling equipment year-round. And while they're great at keeping your home comfortable in any season, they can also be some of the highest energy-use devices in your home. Air conditioners, furnaces, and other heating/cooling equipment are often referred to as "energy hogs." But that doesn't mean you have to live with high power bills all year round. There are several things you can do to make sure your furnace and air conditioner don't use more energy than they have to. One of the best ways to ensure this is to schedule annual maintenance for your cooling/heating system. Another way to keep your energy bill in check is to make sure your equipment is working properly. You can do this by checking the filters regularly and making sure the system is clean from the inside out. Keeping an eye on the weather forecast will help you use your heating and cooling equipment more efficiently. If you don't need it, don't turn it on.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers are helpful when cleaning dishes isn’t at the top of your to-do list. While they’re great for convenience, they’re not so great for your wallet. The average dishwasher uses about 9.0 kWh per cycle, which means it uses more energy than most other home appliances. The amount of energy your dishwasher uses can be reduced by switching to a shorter cycle, washing dishes by hand, or running it during off-peak hours. If you’re not sure how long to run a dishwasher, some online tools can help. Another thing you can do to reduce energy use is to clean out the filter regularly. You should do this every 3 months or once a month during heavy use. If you have hard water, you may want to clean the filter more often.
Dryers
Dryers are a great way to quickly dry your clothes, but they use a significant amount of energy to do so. The average dryer uses about 20-40 kWh per load, which is enough to power a microwave and oven combo for about 20 minutes. The best way to reduce the amount of energy your dryer uses is to use a drying rack or hang your clothes outside. But if you don’t have the option to do that, there are a few other things you can do. Using the timed option instead of the sensor setting can save you up to 40% on energy usage. You can also manually reduce the drying time to 30-40% for more efficient use.
Microwaves
Microwaves are one of the easiest and quickest ways to heat food and drinks. They’re especially great if you’re trying to eat more healthily and avoid using the oven during the summer. But even though they’re a handy appliance to have, they can be an energy hog. Every microwave has a different energy consumption rate, but most use around 1,000 W per hour. One of the best ways to lower the amount of energy your microwave uses is to add moisture to your food. If you’re cooking something that requires water, add a little more than you normally would. This will help increase the humidity within the microwave, which will reduce the amount of time needed to cook the food. Another way you can reduce the amount of energy your microwave uses is to cook at lower settings.
Refrigerators
Keeping a fully stocked fridge is an important part of any healthy diet. But keeping your fridge stocked can use up a lot of energy. The average refrigerator uses up to 200-300 kWh per year, which is a significant amount of energy. But there are several things you can do to reduce the amount of energy your fridge uses. Make sure you keep the door shut as much as possible. This will ensure that your food stays cool and doesn't get too warm and spoil. Clean your refrigerator regularly to remove any buildup on the coils that reduce energy efficiency. And lastly, make sure your fridge is large enough to meet your needs. If it isn’t, you’re likely to store too much food in your refrigerator, which will make it work harder.
Conclusion
We hope this list helps you better understand the energy consumption of home appliances. From air conditioners to microwaves, there are plenty of things in your home that uses energy. Luckily, there are lots of ways to reduce that energy usage. From simple things like changing the way you use appliances or adjusting your thermostat to bigger upgrades like replacing old equipment with new, more efficient models. For a more energy-efficient home, start by making simple changes like unplugging electronics when they aren't in use. You can also (gently) clean the coils in your fridge, switch to energy-saving light bulbs, and make sure your HVAC system is properly maintained.
