Efficiency to Appliances



Posted: Friday, August 27, 2010

by John Jax

Wait! Slow down. Do you really think you can go around and just unplug appliances when they aren't in use? Oh, yes, the coffee pot and toaster I understand. I even understand some of those electronic gadgets. But . . . uhm . . . you've just unplugged the refrigerator. Do you really think that's such a wise idea? I think that's one that really should be kept running. It's no secret.

Appliances consume energy. Lots of it. In our typical family example, the cost of running appliances eats up nearly 40 percent of the family's electric bill.

Some of the largest offenders are those which, of course, need to remain running continually (despite what our friend above might think.) These include the water heater, refrigerator, washer and dryer.

Of course, some homes have other miscellaneous appliances which contribute to the energy expenditures. Aquariums, for example, can add to your electric bill. So can that old freezer you have stored in your garage. And then there are those impressively large, extravagant home entertainment centers. Impressive, that is, until the electric bill appears in the mailbox.

Interested in learning the annual usage - and cost - of some of the most common appliances? I've laid it all out in an easy-to-read chart. Remember, these costs are for an entire year - not just a month.

Annual Kilowatt Usage And

Costs For Household Appliances

Appliance kWh used in the year Annual approximate cost Water heater 5,400 $810 Spa 2,230 $335 Pool pump 1,400 $200 Refrigerator 1,200 $180 Clothes washer 900 $135 Waterbed heater 850 $130 Clothes dryer 845 $127 Freezer 750 $115 Electric cooking 680 $102 Dishwasher 600 $90 Aquarium 570 $85 Well water pump 500 $75 Dehumidifier 355 $55 Microwave oven 150 $23 Television 140 $21 Home computer 107 $16 Electric blanket 100 $15 How are you to know where to start on your energy savings trek, if you don't take stock of your needs
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Jennifer Stewart
 1 year 251 days ago.
152 fans.
My word we rely so heavily on electricity. Everywhere, not just in America. Here, in South Africa, we had rolling black outs for months, and it was a shock to see the truth of that dependence. It's good to see what everything uses, and what it costs.
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