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Man using a device in his home
Man using a device in his home

Which household items use the most electricity?

May 30, 2023

In 2021, American households used an average of 886 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month[1] – for an average monthly electric bill of $122.[2]

With more focus on lowering consumption to reduce bills and be more sustainable, it’s helpful to know what items use the most power around the home (and how to decrease their usage). So, here are the ten appliances that use the most electricity in the average U.S. home (along with the percentage of power they use in a year) according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) ‘Annual Energy Outlook’ report:

Ovens and stoves for cooking – 1%[3]

There’s no escaping the need to cook at home, but there are some small but effective ways to reduce the amount of electricity stovetops or ovens use. These include avoiding pre-heating where possible, keeping the stove clean, and resisting the urge to open the oven door and peek while food is cooking. Checking it frequently will only make it take longer and use more power. Instead, turn on the oven light to get a better view.

Washing machines – 1%[3]

Roughly 90% of a washer’s electricity goes towards heating the water.[4] That means there’s a simple way to reduce the amount of power each load of laundry consumes. Setting the washer to a colder setting, wherever it makes sense, can lead to lower bills and a more sustainable home. As a bonus, colder temperatures can protect clothes from shrinking, fading, or transferring colors to other garments.

Dishwashers – 1%[3]

It takes quite a bit of electricity to get those dishes clean. One dishwasher cycle can use the same amount of power as running a TV for 20 hours (that’s a lot of Law and Order).[5] Fortunately, there are plenty of tricks to reduce this, like cutting the number of loads needed by running full loads each time. Pre-rinsing dishes and using a high-quality detergent are also effective ways to avoid washing things twice.

Computer and office equipment – 2%[3]

Computers can be a significant user of home electricity – especially when used for gaming. Currently, two-thirds of Americans (more than 215 million people) play video games regularly.[6] And, depending on local electricity rates, regular use can add anywhere from $45 to more than $300 to a bill each year.[7] Reducing this doesn’t necessarily mean cutting into gaming time. Using a power strip to ensure everything is properly turned off is an effective way to lower electricity consumption – as is reducing the brightness of any monitors where possible.

TVs and other electronics – 4%[3]

This includes the other appliances and devices used alongside the TV (think external speakers, surround sound systems, and game consoles). Streaming devices are another big energy user, with 56% of Americans now using them to watch their favorite shows and movies.[8] An essential tip for reducing electricity consumption from your entertainment system is to make sure everything is unplugged at the outlet so they can’t use power on standby when people aren’t watching.

Lighting – 4%[3]

It’s no surprise that lighting is top five on the list. The latest Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that 65% of homeowners and 54% of renters have three or more bulbs turned on in their homes for four or more hours daily.[9]

The good news is that electricity consumption for this is falling, with almost half of U.S. households using LED bulbs for all or most of their indoor lighting (a marked increase from 4% in 2015).[8] With energy-efficient bulbs using roughly 90% less energy than standard bulbs, they effectively lower consumption, costs, and emissions.[10]

Clothes dryers – 4%[3]

It’s not just washing clothes that uses a lot of electricity – it’s also drying. Again, there are plenty of ways to reduce this. Running full loads and drying at a cooler temperature are both effective methods. Another is to air dry clothes wherever possible, avoiding the need for the dryer altogether.

Refrigerators and freezers – 7%[3]

Likely running 24/7 to keep food and other items fresh or frozen, the average refrigerator in American homes can add around $65 to an electricity bill each year.[11] This is where energy-efficient appliances can make a real difference to a household’s consumption and costs. An ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator can help to save more than $220 over the appliance’s lifetime.[12]

Water heaters – 14%[3]

Like the washer, heating water around the home can consume a lot of electricity. Many households could be spending around $400 more on their bills than necessary – and all by having the water hotter than it needs to be.[13]

By setting a water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees or just above (rather than the default of 140°F that many start with), Americans can reduce their electricity consumption and save on bills. Be mindful of safety when doing this and check the owner’s manual before adjusting the temperature.[13]

Heating and cooling systems – 29%[3]

As you might have guessed, HVAC systems are the single greatest electricity user in American homes. In 2020, nearly 90% of U.S. households used air conditioning.[8] And the best way to lower the amount of power they use is to find the right temperature balance on the thermostat.

For heating in colder parts of the country during winter, dropping the temperature slightly (especially when no one’s home or at night) can help reduce electricity bills by up to 10%.[14] In the hotter areas, people can take roughly 2% off their bills by adjusting the thermostat by just one degree where they can.[15]

Another great way to lower HVAC electricity usage is to stay up-to-date on maintenance by replacing the air filter regularly and having the unit serviced by a professional HVAC technician once or twice a year. If the temperature outside is in the 70s, try turning off the HVAC system and opening some windows to let in air.

Meeting changing electricity needs

Altogether, these account for two-thirds of electricity use in the average American’s home.[3] So, where does the other third go? It’s used by many items and appliances – from small electrical devices to backup generators.[3]

However a household uses electricity, Shell Energy is on hand to meet the power needs of homes across the U.S. with our 100% Renewable Electricity plans. Find out more at https://www.shellenergy.com/Renewable.

Commission Certifications: TX PUCT #10174

Sources

[1] U.S. Energy Information Administration. “How much electricity does an American home use?” 2022.

[2] NerdWallet. “How Much Is the Average Electric Bill, and What Can I Afford?” 2022.

[3] U.S. Energy Information Administration. “How is electricity used in U.S. homes?” 2022.

[5] Eco Cost Savings. “Dishwasher Wattage [601 Studied | Most Efficient Revealed].” 2022.

[4] Bloomberg. “US Power Prices Rise Most in 41 Years as Inflation Endures.” 2022.

[6] Entertainment Software Association. “2022 Essential Facts About the Video Game Industry.” 2022.

[7] The Tech Wire. “How Much Electricity Does A Gaming PC Use? (Explained).” 2022.

[8] U.S. Energy Information Administration. “2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey.” 2022.

[9] U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Nearly half of U.S. households use LED bulbs for all or most of their indoor lighting.” 2022.

[10] Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “On Energy Star Day and every day, look for the blue label.” 2022.

[11] Eco Cost Savings. “Cost Of Running A Refrigerator [9 Cost Saving Tips].” 2023.

[12] Department of Energy. “A Cool Way to Save Energy - A New Refrigerator!” 2022.

[13] Department of Energy. “Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Lower Water Heating Temperature.” N.D.

[14] Department of Energy. “Fall and Winter Energy-Saving Tips: Energy Saver.” 2022.

[15] New York Times. “How to Lower Your Summer Electric Bill.” 2022.

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