Energy conservation is a cause all homeowners should get behind. It’s not only paramount to managing the earth’s resources – it’s pivotal for keeping household expenses reasonable and a household safe. Luckily, it’s also a cause one can support simply by maintaining the efficiency of particular home appliances. After all, higher efficiency leads to lower consumption.
These are the three appliances which not too many people realize are energy guzzlers.
HVAC systems
Centralized air conditioners and heat pumps typically eat up an average of 15,000 watts an hour – the most of any appliance. They could exceed that average if parts become faulty or broken. That leads to the machinery to operating a less efficient manner using more energy than typically necessary to maintain a comfortable environment.
Washers
Washers can be doubly wasteful. Aside from guzzling up energy, they can use up thousands of gallons of water in a year – which isn’t really a surprise when you consider that the average American household washes 400 loads of laundry each year.
Manufacturers have addressed this problem, devising washers that have low-electricity features as well as the ability to use the least amount of water possible. Certified by the government’s EnergyStar program, these more efficient models are the right choice for homeowners wanting to do their part to reduce energy consumption.
Refrigerators
It is typically understood that refrigerators use a lot of electricity. But you may not realize that certain types of refrigerators are much bigger energy guzzlers than others. Realizing the difference makes it easier to make an economical choice.
As with washers that do not have energy saver settings, refrigerators that do not have adjustable temperature controls drain more energy compared to their counterparts that do. Fridge models that allow homeowners to run at optimal coolness, based on room temperature during the summer or winter, help ensure that refrigerators do not use more energy than is necessary.
Energy audits
Thankfully, it’s also easy for a homeowner to ensure these three appliances are up to par. One simply has to call a professional electrician to perform an energy audit. A professional electrician can pinpoint which machines are failing current energy efficiency standards, recommend repairs or replacement, and assist with the job accordingly.
Sources:
High Electricity Bills? These Appliances Cost the Most Money to Run. Spark Energy. March 27, 2012.
The Best Energy-Efficient and Water-Saving Washing Machines. Apartment Therapy.