According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Americans used 1.5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity to power their homes in 2022. Our usage has increased dramatically since the mid-1900s, and anyone who wants to reduce their environmental footprint should closely examine what uses the most electricity at home. Of course, you probably don’t know the consumption of each of your electronics, so we’ll go over some of the most power-hungry items you might have in your home and tips for reducing usage in the appliances that use the most electricity.
Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system likely uses the most electricity at home. The EIA tells us that space heating and cooling accounts for slightly over 30% of residential energy usage. These appliances run frequently, and many factors can affect their efficiency, like drafts and poor insulation.
Here are some ways to reduce your HVAC appliances’ energy use.
Water heating takes up another 11.4% of electricity use, giving us hot water for bathing, washing clothes, cooking and washing dishes. You can take these steps to reduce water heater usage.
Refrigerators and freezers are also high on our list of appliances that use the most electricity in a home. These cooling appliances use 6.9% of residential electricity. They aren’t particularly power-hungry, but they need to run constantly, so their usage can add up.
To reduce these appliances’ footprint, you can:
Clothes washing is another significant energy draw, especially if you do multiple loads throughout the week. Much of this power goes toward heating the dryer or the water used in the washer.
Here are some ways you can reduce energy usage for laundry.
Lighting takes up another 4.4% of electricity usage. One of the most valuable changes you can make to save energy on lighting is switching to light-emitting diode technology. LED lights use about 75% less energy and last up to 25 times as long. You can find them in regular lightbulbs, decorative lights, holiday lights and others.
Other ways to save on lighting usage include:
Electric ovens and stoves also contribute to your energy consumption. A significant concern with cooking appliances is using them during hot weather when they can increase the heat in your home and strain your air conditioner. Try to minimize these effects by using your oven or stove during cooler times of the day, such as in the morning or at night. You can also use smaller appliances when possible, like a toaster oven or slow cooker.
Place Air-Fryers or Deep Fryers close to your range exhaust fan to help pull the hot air out of your kitchen area.
The last item on our list of what uses the most electricity at home is consumer electronics. TVs and computers alone make up almost 6% of residential usage. One reason these electronics use so much energy is that they draw a small amount of power even when they are not in use. Use these tips to save money and the environment.
While we’ve discussed some simple tips for addressing what uses the most electricity in the home, a high electricity bill might call for a skilled technician’s help. At Strada Services, we can help you identify power-hungry appliances and find solutions, installing more efficient products if needed. In the Southeast, high electricity commonly involves your AC system, and our comprehensive service capabilities include cooling and heating, making us an all-in-one provider for homeowners.
With a 10-year labor warranty and experienced, highly trained technicians, our services offer confidence and peace of mind. Ready to reduce your electricity usage? Schedule an appointment today to talk with a pro, or contact us for more information!
Joe Strada, owner of Strada Electric, Security & Air Conditioning, started working at the young age of 14. He’s never attended college, but he has spent his life dedicating his time and energy to his trade and providing high-quality services to his customers. At 19, Joe started working at a well-known air conditioning company and developing his commitment to excellence. He has state certifications in electric, plumbing, air conditioning, residential building and general contracting. During his years of training and experience, Joe noticed a sincere need for a dependable electrical contractor in Florida who embodied the same dedication to customer service in which he believed. In 2003, Joe co-founded Strada Electric, Security & Air Conditioning. Since then, the company has been in the business of providing peace of mind to customers. We offer expert electric, security and air conditioning solutions for homes and businesses, leveraging our experience to deliver professional and responsive service with reliability and respect.
