Appliance Ratings Regarding Electricity
- Appliances such as refrigerators, washers and water heaters meet federal standards and some qualify for the Energy Star rating. Energy Star rated appliances exceed federal standards for energy use. An appliance will have a note on the sticker if it qualifies for Energy Star. Details on energy use make it easy to shop for energy efficient appliances that still have the features you want.
- Some small appliances will continue to draw energy after you think they are off. Common culprits include the clock on the microwave, the telephone answering machine or the television that sits in standby mode waiting for remote control use. This can have a significant impact on home energy costs. According to the Consumer Energy Center, 20 percent of the energy these appliances use is lost while in standby mode. Some headway has occurred in this area. Energy Star now rates electronic equipment like televisions. When purchasing a new TV or other home electronics, look for the Energy Star label.
- A refrigerator of newer vintage uses on average, 82 kWh per month. The large burner on your stove will use 2.4 kWh/hr. A computer in use averages .09 kWh/hr. A computer in sleep mode still draws .02 kWh/hr. The dishwasher requires 1 kWh/load. An electric blanket uses 1kWh/night. A water heater for a family of four will use 400 kWh/month.
- Small amounts of electricity add up when you consider how much they cost per year. Save yourself some money on small appliances such as coffee makers by unplugging them when not in use. This sometimes is the only way to be sure they aren't leaking power while in the off mode. For the larger appliances, take a look at the refrigerator, stove or water heater. If these items have been around for 10 to 20 years, think about replacing them with newer Energy Star rated models.