What Household Appliances Utilize the Most Electricity?

The appliances which typically draw the most electric power are those which produce heat through electrical resistance, such as electric water heaters and fittings, but they are not always the most expensive appliances to operate. Appliances which you use frequently, such as washing machines, and those that operate continuously, such as refrigerators, can cost more to use in the long run. The most expensive appliances are older ones with ineffective motors, leaks and poor insulation.

HVAC Systems

Even though it isn’t, strictly speaking, an appliance, a residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is the king of electricity consumption. With a power draw which can be as high as 15 kilowatts, an HVAC system accounts for a whopping 44 percent of the normal energy bill. The efficacy of the HVAC system is quantified from its own Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which usually ranges from 13 to 23, with greater numbers denoting greater efficacy. Units which pre-date 1992 can have a SEER as low as 6, plus they use — and waste — considerably more electricity than contemporary systems.

240-Volt Appliances

The most energy-intensive appliances would be the ones served with 240-volt electricity. These include water heaters, which pull between 4.5 and 5.5 kilowatts, clothes dryers, which can draw up to five kilowatts, and electric ranges, which can attract 1 to 2 kilowatts. The rating for dishwashers having a dry feature can also function in the neighborhood of two kilowatts. Water heaters typically have the most energy — up to 14 percent of total energy prices — since they cycle off and on continuously. An appliance’s power draw is clearly indicated on a label affixed near its power terminals.

Refrigerators and Freezers

When you believe annual electricity consumption, refrigerators and freezers rank high among the list of electricity consumers, not since they’ve got an overbearing power pull, but since they are in constant use. Older refrigerators with poor insulation and inefficient compressors are higher on the list than modern, energy-efficient ones, and certain features increase the energy intake. These attributes include through-the-door ice makersthat increase energy consumption by up to 20 percent, and automatic defrosters, which can consume up to 40 percent more. A refrigerator with a freezer on the bottom consumes 16 percent less electricity than a side model.

Insulate and Save

Over fifty percent of a standard residential energy bill goes to heat and refrigeration, which is the reason why proper insulation is so essential. If heat can pass through the ceiling or walls, the central heating and cooling system works more difficult to maintain a comfortable climate, and the energy bill goes up. Find gaps and fill them with insulating material or caulk. Likewise a insulating blanket around your water heater reduces the power it uses and lowers your energy bill, while replacing your antique refrigerator with a properly sealed, energy-efficient model adds to your savings.

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