Most of us rely on electricity throughout our homes. Heavily. It’s responsible for keeping our spaces at a comfortable temperature, our food chilled, our rooms lit, our clothes washed, and our gadgets powered. But have you ever wondered about your appliances, what uses the most electricity in a home?
Knowing more about what home appliances use the most electricity is essential for making energy-saving decisions — which can help lower your overall energy costs. So, let’s take a closer look at the power consumption of household appliances.
Keep in mind that while we will present figures that represent total U.S. average power consumption of certain appliances, every home’s appliances and usage habits differ. To measure your own appliances’ power consumption, you can use a watt meter.
Additionally, your location plays a large role in what uses the most energy in your home. To calculate your region’s energy usage breakdown, consult the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS).
1. Space heating power consumption
According to the latest RECS data, space heating represents about 42% of total residential energy consumption.
This may seem high for southern states like Texas or Florida that don’t use much heating during the year. However, people who live in colder climates often rely on home heating 24/7 for several months of the year.
Tips to save money
Heat can be wasted through improper construction or inefficient equipment. To save energy and money, you can:
- Make sure your home is well-insulated. To start, find the proper insulation “R-value” for your climate zone here.
- Maintain your heating system. An old or inefficient heater could be wasting a lot of energy. Schedule regular tune-ups, and if you need to replace your system, consider an ENERGY STAR-rated heater.
- Set your thermostat a few degrees lower when you’re not home to conserve energy. A programmable thermostat lets you set home and away schedules. A smart thermostat also lets you control your thermostat from your mobile device.
2. Water heating power consumption
Coming in as the second-highest energy consumer in U.S. households is water heating. According to RECS, water heating accounts for about 18% of total household electricity usage.
This may be surprising because we don’t often think of our water as electricity-consuming. But if your water heater is electric, every hot shower or bath, every load of dishes and every load of laundry washed in “warm” or “hot” water requires electricity to heat that water.
Tips to save money
- Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120°F. Major dishwasher manufacturers like Whirlpool and GE recommend this temperature. (A dishwasher’s heating element can raise the temperature higher from there, if needed.) And dermatologists advise taking showers in water that is between 98°F to 105°F. So, 120°F is a perfect temperature — and it will also prevent scalding.
- Insulate hot water pipes. This can reduce heat loss and help you save 3%-4% annually on energy.
- Install low-flow showerheads. This can conserve thousands of gallons of water a year with a savings of about 39%.
3. AC power consumption
The third-highest energy user in U.S. homes is air conditioning. The most recent RECS data puts total residential air conditioning (AC) energy consumption at 9%.
If you live in the South, your AC consumption probably makes up a much higher percentage of your total energy usage. And as global temperatures continue to rise, air conditioning usage will continue to increase.
Tips to save money
In addition to following the aforementioned tips for heater savings — i.e., insulate your home well, maintain your equipment and adjust your thermostat when you’re away — you can also:
- Close curtains to prevent heat gain. Sun entering your home as heat through windows can increase your energy usage. Window coverings can help by providing comfort, regulating temperatures and lowering energy bills.
- Use a ceiling fan. When you’re in a room with a ceiling fan, turn it on and turn your AC up a few degrees. The wind chill effect will keep you comfortable at a fraction of the energy usage.
- Avoid heat-producing activities during the day. Using the oven, dishwasher and clothes dryer all add heat to your home, making your AC work harder. Save those activities for nighttime when possible.
4. Refrigerator power consumption
Refrigerators account for about 4% of all residential energy consumption in the U.S., according to RECS data. If you’re a household with a second fridge or with a separate freezer, your usage is probably higher.
Because they’re always on, an inefficient refrigerator has the potential to run up your electric bill. However, they have come a long way when it comes to efficiency. A typical new fridge uses 75% less energy than its 1973 counterpart (while offering around 20% more storage capacity). And in 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy proposed new standards for refrigerators that would save U.S. consumers approximately $3.5 billion per year in energy costs.
Tips to save money
Make sure your refrigerator is a lean, mean, cooling machine by following these tips:
- Keep it stocked. A full fridge will use less energy to keep items cool than an empty one.
- Let leftovers cool before storing. Putting hot or warm items in your fridge will raise the temperature of the fridge, requiring more energy to cool it back down.
- Consider a new model. If your current refrigerator is having a lot of issues, or it’s over 13 years old, it may be more economical to replace it. A new refrigerator, especially if it’s ENERGY STAR-certified, will likely be more energy efficient and cost less to run.
5. Other sources of power consumption
When it comes to what home appliances use the most electricity, here are some others to be mindful of that contribute to U.S. home electricity usage. These include, but are not limited to:
- Lighting
- Clothes dryers
- TVs
- Ranges & microwaves
- Ceiling fans
- Dehumidifiers
- Clothes washers
- Dishwashers
- Humidifiers
Alone, they may not use as much energy as the first 4 appliances we discussed. But the combined impact of these other appliances on your usage and electric bill can be significant.
Tips to save money
Though there are specific strategies to save with each of these appliances, you can follow these general tips as well:
- Turn off or unplug unused appliances. When you leave a room, make sure to turn off the TV, lights and ceiling fans. And when possible, unplug unused appliances to avoid losing energy to phantom load.
- Consider ENERGY STAR equipment. If you need to replace an appliance, check out ENERGY STAR-certified items. They’re more efficient than standard appliances and often come with tax credits and rebates.
Conclusion
It’s important to know what appliances use the most energy in your home and how to save money while operating them.
Now that you know this information, you can start searching for the best electricity rates and plans for your unique lifestyle. Everything Energy has the tools you need to make apples-to-apples comparisons, estimate monthly energy bills, narrow down your options and find a plan that’s a perfect fit. To get started, enter your ZIP code here.