Interested in reducing your energy usage? You may have been told to go around turning off lights or unplugging devices to save every penny you can on your electric bill. Fortunately, there’s better options if you really want to reduce your utility costs. Certain electrical appliances in your home account for the majority of your energy use, so these are the ones you should focus on. Keep reading to learn which electronic devices consume the most energy, and remember that when it comes to all your home electrical needs, you can always count on All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical.
Household Appliances That Require the Most Power
- HVAC Systems: Your HVAC system is almost always the top power drainer in your home, with heating and cooling equipment accounting for 47% of the energy usage in the average American household. This is why heating systems and air conditioners stress energy efficiency so much. While you of course need to use your HVAC equipment to achieve comfortable temperatures in your home, it is a good idea to watch heating and cooling usage whenever possible. For instance, you should try to keep your heating system off when you are not home. Conversely, it’s better to let your AC run on a lower temperature all day to prevent you from having to crank it as low as possible when you get back. You may also want to install a smart thermostat to help achieve ideal temperature balance, and look for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE ratings when purchasing new equipment.
- Water Heaters: A significant jump down from HVAC equipment, water heaters consume roughly 14% of the power generated by your electrical system. Again, your water heater is an essential device that you use every day, so there is no way around some of the high costs associated with it. That said, you may be able to reduce some of your water heater-related expenses through simple solutions like showering for shorter amounts of time (especially in the winter, when your water heater has to work that much harder to provide you with the comfortable temperatures you are looking for.)
- Washers & Dryers: Your washer and dryer combination usually accounts for approximately 13% of your overall energy usage. So if you live in an apartment and have to use quarters to do laundry, good news! The costs may actually even out. Obviously, the amount everyone does laundry is different depending on the needs of their household. And no one wants to walk around wearing stinky or dirty clothes. That said, if you find yourself running these appliances all the time, even for small loads or single items, cutting down washer and dryer usage could help reduce your energy expenses a small amount.
- Lighting: Your lights usually take up about 12% of your electrical system’s power. However, this can vary greatly depending on what bulbs you use. If you’re really serious about reducing the amount you’re spending on lighting, there may be a better solution than just hanging out in the dark: switch to LED lightbulbs. LED lightbulbs are far more efficient than standard light bulbs (they use roughly 80% less power than halogen bulbs,) so it is always a good idea to purchase them, no matter what type of home you live in.
For more helpful tricks and tricks or to schedule an appointment, call (909) 500-8193. You can also send us any questions online.