Energy Use in Your Home

Typical Residential Use and Tips

Major Appliances use a significant amount of electricity in all types of households. Some of these major appliances include refrigerators, stoves, freezers, washers, and dryers. Reducing time of use for some of these appliances can help save on your bill. Purchasing ENERGY STAR® appliances will also help reduce energy consumption.

Small Appliances like coffee makers, microwaves, toaster ovens, blenders, etc., do not consume as much electricity as major appliances. Using some of these small appliances in place of a major appliance can help reduce your electricity bill.

Entertainment includes electronics such as televisions, DVD players, cable boxes, gaming systems, computers, speakers, monitors, etc. Unplugging these electronics, or switching them off using a power bar can reduce the amount of standby power they consume. There are also many electronic products on the market that are ENERGY STAR® qualified.

Lighting consists of the bulbs used in your home – indoor and outdoor. Replacing high-use incandescents with ENERGY STAR®-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs will decrease electricity use as they use up to 75% less energy and last 10 times longer. Installing motion sensors and timers for outdoor lights will also help you save.

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation products are high users of electricity in your home. These include space heaters (i.e. electric fireplaces), furnace fans, dehumidifiers, air exchangers, air conditioning units, etc. One way to reduce on Heating, Cooling and Ventilation is to install a programmable thermostat to reduce temperature at night or when you are away from home.

Using an ENERGY STAR® dehumidifier with a humidity sensor and using ceiling fans instead of air conditioners will impact savings on electricity. Insulating your home, washing your clothes in cold water, installing low-flow faucets and showerheads will also help reduce your bill.