Discover Which Appliances Use the Most Electricity

Energy prices have come under the spotlight in recent years. This is partly to do with environmental concerns, scarcity of resources, and connected to other global events. One thing is certain, energy prices look set to increase further over the coming months and years.

While the best solution is to install solar panels via a suitable Sydney electrician, this isn’t an option for everyone as the cost of installation can be prohibitive. Instead, you need to find ways of saving electricity.

One of the most popular approaches is to replace older appliances with modern, energy-efficient ones. Of course, replacing appliances also costs money. That’s why you need to discover which appliances use the most electricity. You can seek to replace them first and reduce how much you use them if possible.

Refrigerators

These don’t use an excessive amount of electricity to run. But, they do run consistently all the time. In general, they work harder when it is warmer. In fact, estimates suggest that the refrigerator can use as much as a third of your annual electricity bill.

While it is an essential appliance, you can minimize its electrical usage by never leaving the door open and always ensuring food is cooled before you put it in the refrigerator. Of course, replacing it with an energy-efficient one may also help.

Your Washing Machine

Your washing machine is another critically important appliance. However, the average household does several loads a week and this can steal as much as 12% of your electricity use.

To reduce the impact on your electricity bill try washing less frequently, using a shorter and cooler cycle, and using the machine in your energy off-peak hours. You may even be able to sign up for a special tariff that gives you dramatically reduced electricity at specific times, just remember to wash during those times.

The television

You may be surprised to discover that the television uses approximately the same amount of electricity as your washing machine. A big part of this is the fact that you don’t unplug it when not in use. It’s estimated 25% of the electricity a television uses is because it is left in standby. Unplug it when you’re not using it to save money.

Remember, LED televisions use significantly less electricity than any other ones, invest in one when you can.

Ovens

Ovens are another necessity but they can consume as much as 8% of your electricity bill. You need them to cook but you should always minimize the amount of time the door is open when cooking and use lids on pans when heating.

This reduces the energy usage of your oven. Alongside this, it’s a good idea to keep the oven clean, this helps it to work more efficiently and use less electricity.

Final Thoughts

You should note that other appliances, such as computers and charging mobile phones can use a significant amount of energy, nearly as much as your oven. It’s important to unplug them when not in use and switch off accessories, such as printers. You can also dim the screen to reduce the power draw.