Your household appliances are costing you a fortune! Stop, look and listen. How many of your appliances are on right now? Become energy smart, and lessen your ecological footprint by following these easy green household energy saving tips.
Average monthly household appliance energy costs:
Refrigerator: Your fridge runs 24 hours a day with a monthly cost of $28.70.
Energy saving tips:
~ Purchase an Energy Star rated model, it uses 1/3 less energy.
~ Open the door less.
~ Set temperature around 38 degrees, and the freezer at around 0 degrees.
Oven: Running your oven for 30 minutes a day means a total monthly cost of $19.80
Energy saving tips:
~ Purchase an Energy Star rated model.
~ Use a smaller toaster oven, when able.
~ Microwave
~ Once a week cook a few different things at once, portion out and freeze for later reheat.
Microwave: 30 minutes of use everyday means a total monthly expensive of $3.80
Energy saving tips:
~ Purchase an Energy Star rated model.
Coffee maker: 20 minutes use daily means a monthly cost of $1.55
Energy saving tips:
~ Purchase an Energy Star rated model.
~ Shut off after it has brewed.
~ Stop drinking coffee.
Standard size T.V.: 6 hours of use daily means a monthly cost of $6.10.
Energy saving tips:
~ Turn off and unplug when not in use. Turning off appliances does not stop energy consumption.
~ Go outdoors and enjoy nature. Go for a walk, bike ride, play sports or watch the clouds roll by.
Computer: 5 hours of daily use means a total monthly cost of $7.15.
Energy saving tips:
~ Purchase an Energy Star rated model.
~ Turn-off and unplug when not using.
~ Read a book instead.
Electric water heater (50 GALLON): Runs 24 hours a day with a total monthly cost of $68.85
Energy saving tips:
~ Insulate the water heater and exposed piping.
~ Turn down the temperature to around 120 degrees.
~ Install a faucet aerator.
~ install low flow shower heads.
Dryer: Using your dryer to dry just one load of laundry a day means a total monthly cost of $15.90.
Energy saving tips:
~ Purchase an Energy Star rated model.
~ hang your clothes up on an indoor or outdoor drying rack.
Washing machine: Washing one load per day means a total monthly cost of $5.22.
Energy saving tips:
~ Purchase an Energy Star rated model.
~ Wash only in cold water. Hot water uses more energy.
Ten regular light bulbs: Using your old light bulbs for 4 hours a day means a total monthly cost of $20.40
Energy saving tips:
~ Turn-off the lights when you leave a room.
Replace with energy friendly compact fluorescent bulbs. They use 1/4 less energy.
Standard furnace: Runs 24 hours a day with a total monthly cost of 55% of your electric bill.
Energy saving tips:
~ Install a timer thermostat, and turn down the heat. Wearing layers will make you more comfortable.
~ Insulate your attic area, heating ducts and seal cracks in doors and windows.
~ Set thermostat lower when you are away or sleeping.
~ Look at installing environmentally friendly alternative heating sources.
Understanding how much each of your household appliances costs every month will help you save money. Costs are based on 16 cents per kilowatt hours, which is New York State’s average. A kilowatt hour is the standard unit of electric measurement. Your cost may vary if you live in another state, or your family using more or less electricity. Following these easy energy saving tips will help reduce your ecological footprint.
