These are the Biggest Electricity Hogs in Your Home

Households gobble up more than 30 percent of the electricity consumed in the United States. Sure, efficiency has improved over the years, but consumers continue to buy increasing numbers of energy-sucking appliances, leading to painfully high monthly bills. Do you want to save some cash while protecting the planet? Then choose your appliances carefully and monitor their use—particularly your heating and AC units, which use the most energy. You should also, however, take steps to cut down on using these 8 other appliances that you may not have realized cost a small fortune to run.

By Andréana Lefton | Published Aug 12, 2019 12:32 PM

Fridge

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How Much Does It Cost To Run the Fridge?

Several factors affect your refrigerator’s energy consumption, including size, temperature setting, age, and location. Consider recruiting an energy meter to quantify the power usage, paying particular attention to the cumulative power consumption reading. After analyzing the results, decide whether it makes sense to invest in a newer, energy-saving unit.

Related: 9 Signs You Need to Replace Your Fridge

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Water Heater

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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Water Heater?

An average 52-gallon water heater can cost more than $55 per month, according to the National Grid. You can gauge the efficiency of a unit through its energy factor (EF) as well as its size, first hour rating, and fuel type. Check out the Department of Energy’s guide to buying a fuel-efficient water heater.


Related: 14 Secrets of People with Low Energy Bills

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Washer and Dryer

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How Much Does it Cost to Run a Washing Machine and Dryer?

According to IGS Energy, most homeowners spend a minimum of $115 annually to run their washer and dryer. Because dryers use more energy, one way to save money is to air-dry or line-dry laundry. Alternatively, you can try washing with cold water to cut costs.


Related: 11 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Clean in Your Washing Machine

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Lights

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How Much Does Lighting Cost Each Year?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that residential lighting contributed to 7 percent of our national energy consumption in 2017. While exact usage and costs vary by household, homeowners can switch to more efficient lights to lower bills and reduce fuel consumption.

Related: 15 "Under $100" Lighting Solutions for Every Room

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Dehumidifier

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How Much Does a Dehumidifier Cost to Run?

Many homeowners rely on dehumidifiers to prevent mold and fungi, but the handy appliance also boosts your electric bills. In fact, a constantly running dehumidifier costs upward of $100 per year. Energy Star provides helpful tips for reducing both costs and moisture by using fans, natural ventilation, and calcium chloride crystals to absorb excess humidity.

Related: 9 Bad Habits That Are Killing Your Appliances

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Hot Tub

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How Much is a  Hot Tub to Run?

A luxurious addition to any home, a hot tub can cause a surge in monthly electric bills. When you calculate expended electricity at 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, a hot tub can cost as much as $558 per year—yikes! Another hidden cost of hot tubs is higher-than-quoted energy prices for heating water, especially in winter.


Related: 11 Air-Conditioning Mistakes That Spike Your Bills

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Standby Mode

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Does Stand-by Mode Use Energy?

A study conducted by the National Resources Defense Council found that “a quarter of all residential energy consumption is used on devices in idle power mode.” This means that your fully charged laptop, your cable box, and even your “smart” appliances suck energy merely by being plugged in. To save money, use a power strip, which allows you to cut off power to multiple electronics at once.

Related: 9 Energy-Saving Home Upgrades That Pay for Themselves

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TV and Game Consoles

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How Much Do TV and Game Consoles Cost?

Do you leave the TV on when you’re not home? Do you fall asleep before shutting off the gaming console? These bad habits could cost you upwards of $50 a year, especially if your screens are running continuously. According to a comparative review by CNET, plasma screens are the worst offenders; look for an LED TV instead, and dim the display to a comfortable level during use. 


Related: 10 Weirdly Awesome New Uses for Old Appliances

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Cut Costs

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What Appliances Use the Most Electricity in a Household?

Surprised by the appliances guzzling your home's energy? Now that you know, you can make adjustments—like unplugging unused ones—to keep your bills lower and to do your part in helping the Earth. 

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