The Biggest Electric-Guzzling Appliances In Your Home

There used to be a time when the electric bill was called the light bill. Those were the days when electricity was used mainly for lighting. There were not so many appliances in the house that needed electricity. You could say those were the good old days but few of us would want to do without the luxury and convenience of the appliances we rely on today.

Unfortunately we pay for luxury, and our bills seem to grow each month. Just look around and you'll quickly see why. Much of the energy we buy is used by the central air conditioning unit, and even more energy is needed if the unit offers both heating and cooling. In warm regions, the AC accounts for more than half of the electric bill.

You could always install window units to save on electricity. But, if you prefer central air, you can still save a little. If your unit is more than 15 years old, it might be easier to just replace it. Newer models are energy savers, and they can conserve up to 50% of electricity.

If that's what you are thinking of doing, then you should make sure the new unit is sized correctly. An AC expert can advise you on the size you need, since something too big or too small will still not be efficient. Check the energy ratings - the higher the better.

You should make sure the unit has a programmable thermostat and a built-in timer. With the timer, you can turn off the AC when you're gone and set it to restart just before you return. It is now believed that it is cheaper to do that then to let the AC run all day even when you are not at home.

The electric water heater is your next electricity eater on the list. Tanks tend to heat water even if it is already heated and not used. You can buy tankless water heaters, but make sure you do some research before you buy one.

You can even install solar water heaters, but they are so expensive that they are not always worth the expense. If you stay with the tank, turn down the temperature and wrap it in a thermal blanket. Also, turn off the tank when you're out of town and save.

Refrigerator/freezers are both guilty of guzzling electricity, but who wants to return to the old ice box. If yours was made after 2001 it's probably more energy efficient. If you replace an old one, buy the Energy Star label.

All energy star qualified appliances exceed federal energy standards by 15%. Also, top freezers save more money than side-by-side ones. Save even more energy if you can skip the ice maker and dispenser.

Also, electric dryers use about 15% more energy than gas powered ones. If you have no chance of getting a gas dryer, then have an electric one with moisture sensor. When clothes are dry it cuts off.

And don't forget the lint filter - the cleaner it is , the more efficiently the dryer will run. Trying to save money on these appliances will save you a bundle. It's better to conserve than to do without something completely.


Take a moment to check nsw electricity prices and find a deal.