Energy consumption of appliances is a significant factor to consider when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint and saving money on your energy bills. There are many appliances in a typical household that consume a significant amount of energy, and understanding the energy usage of each can help you make more informed decisions about your energy usage habits.
Table of Contents
Why Do The Watts Even Matter?
It is important to consider the wattage of appliances because your electricity company charges you for the number of kilowatts hours (kWh) of electricity that you use. If an appliance, such as an air conditioner, begins to use more watts, your electricity bill will increase. Additionally, if you are concerned about the environmental impact of your household, monitoring wattage is important because it can affect the size of your carbon footprint.
How To Calculate The Cost of Using My Appliance?
To calculate the cost of using an appliance, you will need to know the wattage of the appliance and how many hours per day it is used. Then, you can use the following formula:
Cost = (Wattage of appliance * Hours of use per day) / 1000 * Cost of electricity per kWh
For example, if you have a refrigerator that uses 200 watts and it runs for 24 hours a day, and your electricity costs $0.10 per kWh, the cost to run the refrigerator would be:
Cost = (200 * 24) / 1000 * $0.10 = $4.80 per day
To get the annual cost, you can multiply the daily cost by the number of days in a year.
It is also worth noting that appliances often have a “standby” power consumption, which is the amount of energy they use when they are not in use but are still plugged in. This standby power consumption should also be taken into account when calculating the cost of using an appliance.
How Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use?
One of the major appliances that consume a lot of energy is the refrigerator. A refrigerator is typically on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can account for a sizeable portion of a household’s total energy usage. To reduce the energy consumption of your refrigerator, you can choose an energy-efficient model, make sure the seals on the door are tight, and keep the temperature at a moderate setting.
The power consumption of a domestic refrigerator typically ranges from 100 to 250 watts. On average, a fridge will use between 1 and 2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day, which translates to an annual cost of approximately $150 per fridge.
How Many Watts Does an Air Conditioning Unit use?
Air conditioning units, both central and window units, are also major energy consumers. These appliances use a lot of energy to cool a home, especially in hot climates like Texas. To reduce the energy consumption of your AC unit, you can use a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature, ensure that the filters are clean, and keep the unit properly maintained.
Central Air Conditioners
A central air conditioner with a capacity of one ton uses approximately 1,000 watts per hour. For a 2,000-square-foot home with standard-height ceilings, you will need an air conditioner with a minimum capacity of 3.5 tons, which will use approximately 3,500 watts per hour. However, if your home has factors such as high ceilings, multiple stories, a lot of windows, poor insulation, or excessive sunlight exposure, you may need an air conditioner with a higher capacity, which will use more watts per hour.
Window Air Conditioners
Window air conditioners are designed to cool a specific, small area, such as a bedroom. They are a cost-effective option for those who only need to cool one room in their home, or for spaces without ducts. For example, if you have converted your attic into an office, you may want to use a window air conditioner to keep the space comfortable during the summer. The wattage of a window air conditioner depends on its size, with smaller units using approximately 500 watts per hour to cool up to 400 square feet, and larger units using around 1,400 watts per hour to cool up to 1,000 square feet.
How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use?
Microwaves are another appliance that consumes a significant amount of energy. While microwaves are convenient and efficient for heating small items, they can use a lot of energy if used frequently. To reduce the energy consumption of your microwave, you can use it only when necessary.
There are three types of microwaves that vary in wattage: compact microwaves, standard microwaves, and commercial microwaves. Compact microwaves, which are often found in RVs or hotel rooms, typically use 600-800 watts. Standard microwaves, the type you would find in a home or break room, use 800-1000 watts. Commercial microwaves, which are larger and more powerful and can be found in high-end home kitchens or restaurants, use 1000+ watts.
How Many Watts Does a Television Use?
Televisions are another appliance that can consume a significant amount of energy. The energy consumption of a television depends on the size of the TV and the technology used. To reduce the energy consumption of your TV, you can choose an energy-efficient model, turn off the TV when it’s not in use, and use a power strip to turn off multiple devices at once.
How Many Watts Doe Washing Machines and Dishwashers Use?
Washing machines and dishwashers are also major appliances that consume a lot of energy. To reduce the energy consumption of these appliances, you can choose energy-efficient models, run full loads, and use cold water when possible.
The wattage of washing machines and dishwashers varies depending on the size and type of the appliance. On average, a standard washing machine uses between 500 and 1,500 watts per hour, while a dishwasher uses between 1,200 and 2,000 watts per hour. However, these numbers can vary significantly depending on the specific model and how it is used. Energy-efficient models tend to use less wattage than traditional models. It is also worth noting that washing machines and dishwashers typically use more energy when they are heating the water, so using cold water can help reduce their energy consumption.
How Many Watts Does a Stove Use?
Finally, stoves are another appliance that consumes a significant amount of energy. To reduce the energy consumption of your stove, you can use the right size pots and pans, turn off the stove a few minutes before the food is done to allow the residual heat to finish the cooking, and use the stovetop rather than the oven when possible.
The wattage of a stove varies depending on the size and type of the appliance. Electric stoves typically use between 1,000 and 3,000 watts, while gas stoves use significantly less, at around 100-200 watts. The specific wattage of a stove depends on the size of the burners and the type of heating element. For example, a large burner on an electric stove might use 1,200 watts, while a small burner might use only 750 watts. It is worth noting that stoves use the most wattage when they are heating up, so using the right size pots and pans and turning off the stove a few minutes before the food is done can help reduce energy consumption.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many ways to reduce the energy consumption of your appliances. By making informed decisions about which appliances to purchase, and by using them efficiently, you can significantly reduce your energy usage and lower your energy bills.
Enter zip code
View all the electric plans that are available in your area
Compare plans
Not all plans are equal. Use our calculator to find the plan that best fits your needs
Sign up & Save
Enrollment takes about 5 minutes and can save you $50+ on average every month
