Each year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration tracks current levels of energy use across various sectors — residential, commercial, industrial — and in all regions of the United States in order to compile detailed data on our country’s energy consumption. Reviewing the organization’s most recent research and comparing it with information from the global partnership Connect4Climate, we ranked the appliances in an average home by the amount of energy they utilize. Here is our list of appliances, ranked from highest energy consumption to lowest.
Heating and cooling unit.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 47%
Of all the appliances, devices and other energy-grid-connected items in your home, the HVAC system requires the most energy by far, accounting for nearly half of the usage. And heating a house takes significantly more energy (about 32%) than cooling does (about 12%).
Water heater.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 14%
A typical water heater consumes up to 13.5 kWh per day, and 405 kWh per month. This places it second on our list of appliances that consume the most energy, which makes sense given that most of us need year-round hot water for everything from showers to washing dishes.
Washer and dryer.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 3-9%
These two appliances’ energy usage can vary greatly depending on how you launder. For example, washing clothes in cold water, doing full loads, cleaning the dryer’s lint tray and even air-drying whenever possible all greatly reduce the amount of energy consumed.
Lighting.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 3-9%
Illuminating your home is another energy source whose consumption can be influenced by a variety of factors: types of bulbs (incandescent vs. LED), amount of time lights are on, use of timers or motion sensors, reliance on natural light instead of artificial. To offer perspective, a 100-watt incandescent bulb glowing for two hours a day uses 0.2 kWh per day, and 6 kWh per month. Multiply that times the number of bulbs in your home and the energy use adds up.
Refrigerator.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 4%
If you don’t have a smart fridge or a newer, more energy-efficient model, your unit is likely closer to using 5-6% of a home’s total energy consumption. An average fridge requires about 162 kWh of energy per month.
Electric oven and stove.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 4%
While electric ovens and stoves aren’t the biggest energy consumers, they can sometimes cause a ripple effect with other appliances. For example, when in use — especially on a hot day — an oven can boost the temperature inside your home and increase the load on your AC unit.
Media equipment.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 3%
Televisions, DVD players, cable boxes, video game consoles — these comprise your media devices and together they use close to 60 kWh of electricity per month, even when they’re in standby mode.
Dishwasher.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 2%
As with washing clothes, there are easy ways to cut back on the amount of energy your dishwasher uses: wash full loads, pre-rinse dirty dishes, air-dry as often as possible.
Computer.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 1%
Contrary to what you might think, your computer is the least offender when it comes to energy consumption even though you probably use it all the time. To decrease its energy usage even more, shut it off completely when you’re finished for the day.
What’s Your Home’s Energy Score?
Understanding your home’s energy efficiency is a great way to gain energy independence. Get started by calculating your home’s energy score and learn what you can do to improve.
Home Appliances Ranked By Energy Consumption.
Each year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration tracks current levels of energy use across various sectors — residential, commercial, industrial — and in all regions of the United States in order to compile detailed data on our country’s energy consumption. Reviewing the organization’s most recent research and comparing it with information from the global partnership Connect4Climate, we ranked the appliances in an average home by the amount of energy they utilize. Here is our list of appliances, ranked from highest energy consumption to lowest.
Heating and cooling unit.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 47%
Of all the appliances, devices and other energy-grid-connected items in your home, the HVAC system requires the most energy by far, accounting for nearly half of the usage. And heating a house takes significantly more energy (about 32%) than cooling does (about 12%).
Water heater.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 14%
A typical water heater consumes up to 13.5 kWh per day, and 405 kWh per month. This places it second on our list of appliances that consume the most energy, which makes sense given that most of us need year-round hot water for everything from showers to washing dishes.
Washer and dryer.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 3-9%
These two appliances’ energy usage can vary greatly depending on how you launder. For example, washing clothes in cold water, doing full loads, cleaning the dryer’s lint tray and even air-drying whenever possible all greatly reduce the amount of energy consumed.
Lighting.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 3-9%
Illuminating your home is another energy source whose consumption can be influenced by a variety of factors: types of bulbs (incandescent vs. LED), amount of time lights are on, use of timers or motion sensors, reliance on natural light instead of artificial. To offer perspective, a 100-watt incandescent bulb glowing for two hours a day uses 0.2 kWh per day, and 6 kWh per month. Multiply that times the number of bulbs in your home and the energy use adds up.
Refrigerator.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 4%
If you don’t have a smart fridge or a newer, more energy-efficient model, your unit is likely closer to using 5-6% of a home’s total energy consumption. An average fridge requires about 162 kWh of energy per month.
Electric oven and stove.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 4%
While electric ovens and stoves aren’t the biggest energy consumers, they can sometimes cause a ripple effect with other appliances. For example, when in use — especially on a hot day — an oven can boost the temperature inside your home and increase the load on your AC unit.
Media equipment.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 3%
Televisions, DVD players, cable boxes, video game consoles — these comprise your media devices and together they use close to 60 kWh of electricity per month, even when they’re in standby mode.
Dishwasher.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 2%
As with washing clothes, there are easy ways to cut back on the amount of energy your dishwasher uses: wash full loads, pre-rinse dirty dishes, air-dry as often as possible.
Computer.
Percentage of home’s energy use: 1%
Contrary to what you might think, your computer is the least offender when it comes to energy consumption even though you probably use it all the time. To decrease its energy usage even more, shut it off completely when you’re finished for the day.
What’s Your Home’s Energy Score?
Understanding your home’s energy efficiency is a great way to gain energy independence. Get started by calculating your home’s energy score and learn what you can do to improve.
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