What Uses the Most Energy in Your Home?

Understanding which of your appliances use the most energy, as well as when they’re pulling power from the grid, can help you save substantially on your monthly utility bills. Here leading residential electrical repair contractorBailey & Shipp Electric shares what uses the most energy in your home and some tips to help reduce your electric bill. 

The Top 9 Energy-Consuming Appliances in Your Home

1. Furnace, heat pump, air conditioner:     47% of energy use

2. Water heater:          14% of energy use

3. Washer and dryer:      13% of energy use

4. Lighting:          12% of energy use

5. Refrigerator:           4% of energy use

6. Electric oven:          3-4% of energy use

7. TV, DVD, cable box:      3% of energy use

8. Dishwasher:          2% of energy use

9. Computer:          1% of energy use

How Can I Make My Home More Energy-Efficient?

  • Unplug idle appliances. Standby power is one of the main factors that contribute to spikes in your bill. Did you know you can save up to $100 a year just by unplugging your appliances? Make it a habit and soon you won’t even have to think about it.
  • Swap for LED bulbs. Unlike incandescent light bulbs, LED bulbs use up to 80% less wattage to light your home. Plus, they last longer than other types of bulbs, so you’ll be able to get the most bang for your buck by using LED lights in your household.
  • Invest in energy-efficient appliances. Be sure to check the ENERGY STAR® rating on any appliances before purchasing them. The higher the number of stars, the more energy-efficient the model. Another energy-efficient investment is a generator. Call on your local generator installation service contractors to check for other benefits of using a generator.
  • Turn off your lights. A classic rule for saving energy is turning off the lights. This is the simplest way to reduce your energy use. With the flick of a switch, you can reduce your electricity consumption and extend the life of your light bulbs.
  • Find better ways to heat and cool your house. As much as half of the energy used in homes goes toward heating and cooling. However, there are a few ways that energy bills can be reduced through adjustments to the heating and cooling systems: turn on a ceiling fan instead of the air conditioner, set thermostats to an appropriate temperature and periodically replace air filters in air conditioners and heaters. 
  • Hang your clothes on the line. Where possible, hang your clothes on the clothesline outside. If you live in an apartment, a clothesline may not be feasible. However, you can purchase a small indoor clothesline for about $10.
  • Consider installing more windows as an alternative to electrical lighting. Daylighting is the practice of using natural light to illuminate your home’s interior. It can be achieved using skylights, light shelves and clerestory windows.  

When you’re in need of a licensed residential electrician, give the experts at Bailey & Shipp Electric a call. Trust us to treat your place of business with the utmost care and get the job done right the first time. Call us today at (410) 457-3507 or fill out our online contact form. We serve clients in Columbia, MD, and surrounding areas.

Categories: 
Related Posts
  • 3 Popular Energy-Saving Myths Debunked Read More
  • Money Saving Ideas for Your Home Read More
/