How Much Energy Does Each Appliance Use?

According to a recent study from the Energy Information Administration, the average household in the United States uses about 886 kWh of electric energy per month. Your home appliances account for a large percentage of this energy use. For example, your home’s HVAC unit accounts for up to 46% of the average total household electrical energy use.

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There are several factors that determine how much energy an appliance uses, including the size and age of the appliance, its condition and the frequency of use. For instance, an electric stove that you may use once or twice a day typically uses less energy than a refrigerator, which is larger and continuously turns on and off throughout the day to keep your food cold. However, something like a microwave oven uses a lot of energy per use, though it sits idle most of the time.

Below is a look at the average electrical energy consumption of the most used appliances in your home as well as the average cost per use. Keep in mind that actual energy usage amounts depend on the condition, usage and energy efficiency of the appliance. You can calculate the monthly energy costs for the “energy per-use" appliances by multiplying the per-use cost by the number of uses per month.

Depending on the type of appliance you own, you may be able to find the average energy usage for your exact model on the Energy Guide Label, which is often located on the back of the appliance.

(Data from Silicon Valley Power)

Refrigerator

• Average energy use: 34.5 kWh to 150 kWh per month
• Average cost: $4.83 to $21 per month

Chest Freezer

• Average energy use: 90 kWh per month
• Average cost: $12.60 per month

Microwave

• Average energy use: 12kWh per 5-minute use
• Average cost: 2 cents per 5-minute use

Electric Range/Stove

• Average energy use: 1kWh–2.3 kWh per hour
• Average cost: 14 to 32 cents per hour

Dishwasher

• Average energy use: .5kWh-2.17kWh per load
• Average cost: 7 to 30 cents per load

Washing Machine

• Average energy use: 2.3kWh-6.3kWh per load
• Average cost: 32 to 88 cents per load

Electric Dryer

• Average energy use: 1.9kWh-4kWh per load
• Average cost: 26 to 56 cents per load

How Much Energy Do Standby Appliances Use

Standby energy use, sometimes referred to as phantom energy, is the amount of energy the appliance uses when it’s not in use. For example, standby energy is the amount of electrical energy your microwave consumes when it’s plugged in but not being used. Even your refrigerator uses standby energy. It continues to use energy when it’s not running so the thermometer can alert it to turn on and off as needed.

The average household uses 6,500 watts of standby power each year, which can account for up to 40% of a device’s total electrical energy usage for the year. Most household appliances use between 0.5 and 3 watts per hour of standby energy. This could cost you anywhere from an additional $1.33 to $8.00 per year per appliance. This might not sound like a lot, but when you factor in all the appliances you own, it can add up to $100 or more per year.

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How Do You Reduce the Amount of Energy Your Appliances Use?

The good news is that there are several things you can do to decrease your energy consumption and lower your energy bills. Here’s a look at some of the top things you can do today to reduce the amount of energy your appliances use:

• Invest in a smart HVAC thermometer that allows you to adjust the temperature in your home and set automatic timers.
• Unplug appliances when not in use.
• Plug your smaller appliances, such as a toaster, into a power surge protector to make it easier to turn off when not using.
• Limit the number of times you open and shut the freezer and refrigerator door to avoid the loss of air, which can increase the need for these appliances to run.
• Keep your freezer full of food, when possible. This step reduces the amount of work your freezer must do to keep the food cold.
• Only run full loads for the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.
• Handwash dishes when possible.
• Avoid using the wrinkle release setting on the dryer if you don’t plan to empty the dryer shortly after it's done drying.
• Invest in energy-efficient appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers.
• Use your microwave when possible to avoid heating up the oven.
• Have your HVAC system serviced every year to improve performance.
• Seal leaky windows to prevent heat from escaping during the winter months and cool air during the summer months.

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How Much Less Energy Do Energy-Efficient Appliances Tend to Use?

One of the best ways to decrease your home's electrical energy use is to replace older, outdated appliances with new, energy-efficient ones. These appliances are easily identifiable due to the Energy Star label, typically placed on the back of the appliance. It’s estimated that the average homeowner can save as much as $450 on their energy cost by investing in Energy Star appliances.

For example, an energy-efficient refrigerator uses anywhere from 10% to 50% less energy, and an energy-efficient dishwasher uses an average of 12% less energy. This reduction in energy consumption can help reduce your electric bill. For instance, by purchasing an energy-efficient clothes dryer, you can save up to $210 in energy bills during the lifespan of the appliance.

An investment in energy-efficient appliances today can result in lower energy bills and save you hundreds of dollars by the end of the year.