Energy consumption is the electricity used by home appliances (in watts) over time. Some appliances with the most electricity consumption include heating and cooling appliances, water heaters, lights, refrigerators, ovens, etc. Understanding what uses the most electricity in a home involves continuous use of appliances; habits like not unplugging your devices can significantly increase your electricity bills.
Jackery Solar Generators provides many benefits, such as cost-effectiveness, safety, and easy maintenance. You can reduce your regular consumption from the grid by installing solar panels and setting up solar generators to charge your appliances.
Key Takeaways
Emergency consumption depends on various factors, such as the device's efficiency, usage patterns, and living space.
- Heating and cooling systems like space heaters and air conditioners use 40-50% of total electricity consumption
- You can save $186 on yearly bills by unplugging the devices.
- Vampire devices consume 23% of energy that goes to waste.
- A shower costs 36.97 USD per 10 minutes as it is the most energy-intensive appliance.
- A refrigerator uses 165kWh per year, and you spend 11.4 USD on your fridge daily.
What Uses Most Electricity in A Home?
Household electricity consumption is the total amount of electricity used by all the appliances used at home per unit of time. These appliances include mobile phones, video games, computers, refrigerators, and so on. Your daily routine revolves around appliances that consume more electricity than we realize. There is an electricity specification in every household for every appliance you use, and it shows the amount of power consumed by the device.
According to EIA, the average household in the US consumes about 10,500kWh of electricity per year. Electricity usage at home varies across regions of the US. In US homes, petroleum fuel and wood are used mainly for heating and cooking and can power over a hundred energy-end uses for households. Some appliances that use the most electricity consumption at home are:
|
Appliance |
Percentage of Total Electricity Use |
|
Air Conditioning and Heating |
40-50% |
|
Water Heater |
10-15% |
|
Lighting |
9-12% |
|
Refrigerator |
8% |
|
Washer and Dryer |
5% |
|
Electric Oven |
3% |
|
Dishwasher |
2% |
|
TV and Cable |
2% |
AC and heating appliances keep your home at an optimal temperature and account for more than 40% of the electricity consumed on average. Electric water heaters account for 10-15% of home electricity consumption. Remember that the older your electric heater is, the more energy it will consume compared to the new models. If lights are on most of the day, they account for 9-12% of home energy consumption.
What Use The Most Electricity in the Living Room?
These days, the lifestyle depends heavily on appliances and electronic devices. It is nearly unbearable to live without heating, lighting, consoles, etc. Every room in the house has multiple devices equipped. For example, living rooms have game consoles, televisions, phone chargers, tablets, smart devices, etc., accounting for around 5% of the electricity bill.
Video Game Console: Gaming console models are upgrading at a faster rate. The new models use around 0.2kW of energy and cost 6.35 USD/ hour to charge. If you take your game console out of standby mode by unplugging the cord, you can save around $15.45 annually.
Television: A standard LCD television consumes 0.18kW of electricity and can cost 6 USD/hour. There might be a chance your television is plugged in even if you are not using it. Even if it is in the standby mode, it can cost you around $31.24/year and an additional $29.32 for the setup box.
Smart Devices: Nowadays, it is common for many homes to have smart speakers or other electronics that control other appliances. Using a smart speaker as a voice assistant to turn on your TV, play songs, or turn the lights on can use more power than usual. When on standby, smart speakers use 3W/hour and 5W/hour when in use, costing around $9.44.
What Uses Most Electricity in the Office?
Offices have small and medium-sized appliances, including computers, internet modems, printers, and lights. These devices account for around 6% of the total electricity bill.
Computer: A laptop consumes 450 watts of energy/hour when used continuously. While in standby mode, it can still consume 5.4W. By turning your computer entirely off, you could save $14.24 on electricity every year.
Modem: Although modems are small equipment and do not require much electricity, they are kept on all day and consume electricity even when all other appliances are turned off. For constant Wi-Fi access, a modem of 10 watts can cost 11.29 USD/day and $31.74/year.
Printer: A printer uses around 0.13 USD for ten minutes of active use. If you don't use a printer daily, yet it is plugged in, it can cost you $4.84/year of standby mode energy.
Lights: A 100-watt light bulb consumes 3.81 USD/hour of energy. If you keep the lights on the whole day, you would spend 72p (24 hours). You can replace halogen bulbs with LED lights to save around $69.82 a year on bills.
What Appliances Use The Most Electricity In Standby Mode?
In standby or sleep mode, appliances are not unplugged and waste energy through unnecessary power consumption. If the unused energy is eliminated, you can save around $186 on yearly bills. Some appliances that use most electricity on standby mode include a gaming console (11.1 watts/hour), an internet modem (7.7 watts/hour), a computer (5.4 watts/hour), a laptop (4.2 watts/hour), and a dishwasher (3 watts/hour).
Phantom loads (also known as vampire loads) refer to the energy consumed by a device even when turned off. Appliances like monitors, printers, TVs, etc., depend on electricity for several reasons, even when turned off. For example, if a device is put in sleep mode, it will continue to draw electricity from the grid.
If a laptop charger is plugged in, it will consume 4.42 watts of electricity on average per year, adding $6 to your bills. Phantom load cost depends upon the cost of electricity in your region, the number of phantom loads devices you have, how much electricity your devices consume when turned off, and whether these devices are plugged in all the time.
What Factors Affect Home Electricity Use?
Energy consumption is measured in kWh and encompasses an understanding of various factors, including the number of appliances, living space, residents, energy consumption habits, etc. Primary electricity consumption appliances in a typical household include refrigerators, ACs, dishwashers, and lights. Here are several factors that affect household electricity usage:
Consumption
The amount of energy consumed is the primary factor affecting your monthly electricity bill. The higher the energy consumption, the higher the electricity bill. Cooling and heating systems account for more than 50% of your home's total energy consumption.
Weather Changes
Changing seasons is another factor that impacts your electricity consumption and bill. Particularly in summer, temperatures rise, demanding a cooling system that uses more energy to reach the desired temperature. As an alternative to save energy consumption, you can bump up the thermostat a few degrees and use fans to save some units.
Billing Cycle
Billing cycles can vary depending on which date the billing was done. If the billing cycle extends in days, your bill may seem higher than usual.
Number Of Occupants
The living space and number of residents are directly related to energy consumption. In homes with large rooms, more heating and cooling is required. If there are additional rooms, more lights are needed to illuminate them. Hence, more appliances are operating.
Malfunctioning Appliances
If you are using an appliance with an old model, it may be less energy-efficient and use more electricity than expected. Timely replacement of batteries or device models is crucial to saving electricity costs.
According to EIA, the Northwest and Midwest regions in the United States have higher space-heating demand. Therefore, on average, it consumes more energy than homes in the South and West regions. Heating and air conditioning in apartments in the US account for a smaller share of energy usage than detached single-family homes. This is because apartments are much smaller than homes and are even partially insulated. Here are some facts about the US electricity use, as per the EIA:
- In 2020, space heating and air conditioning accounted for 52% of a home’s yearly energy consumption. These figures vary by geographical location, home structure, and fuels used.
- Water heating, lighting, and refrigeration account for 25% of total annual household energy use, whereas 23% is used for televisions, cooking essentials, washing machines, consumer electronics, and dryers.
- In 2020, retail electricity purchases accounted for 44% of the total residential sector. 58% of homes used natural gas, which accounted for 43% of residential sector consumption, whereas petroleum (heating oil, kerosene, and LPG) accounted for 8% of total residential sector consumption.
- Renewable energy sources such as geothermal, solar, and wood fuel accounted for 5% of total residential energy use.
- The types and primary end uses of energy in the US residential sector include electricity, natural gas (space heating, water heating, drying, cooking), heating oil (water and space heating), propane (clothes drying, cooking, space and water heating), geothermal energy (space cooling and heating, water heating), and wood (space and water heating).
- In all regions of the country, mobile homes and homes in the South use only electricity to meet their household energy needs, while three-quarters of homes in the United States use two or more energy sources.
- The Northwest region primarily uses heating oil. In rural areas, propane and wood are used at home for heating and cooking. Wood is also used throughout the country for peripheral heating.
- In 2020, heat pumps were the leading heating equipment in approximately 13% of homes. Moreover, the usage of solar photovoltaic systems has also increased in recent years.
How to Reduce The Electricity Costs?
Reducing electricity consumption at home saves money, increases electricity security, and reduces pollution from non-renewable sources. If you look forward to investing in a renewable energy system and making your solar power system or wind turbine, the first step would be to recuse your electricity loads. This allows you to purchase a less expensive system. Here are some more tips for saving cost on electricity:
Turn Down Your Thermostat
Turning down the thermostat is one effective way to reduce energy usage. By doing this, you can save 3% for each degree during winter. Moreover, if your furnace operates less, you will save some extra on electricity usage. Remember to turn your thermostat down when you are not at home and at night.
Inspect Your Furnace
Keep checking your heating system and service it annually for efficient operation. Check for dust and debris in the ducts and grills, as these can block air vents. Insulating ductwork should also be done as it runs through unheated areas like crawl spaces.
Use Smart Appliances
Smart appliances turn off automatically when not in use and monitor your electricity usage. By using smart appliances, you can reduce your electricity usage by a ton.
ENERGY STAR-Rated Appliances
The USEPA launched the ENERGY STAR program in 1992, which helps consumers understand how much electricity their devices consume. Compared to non-ENERGY STAR appliances, ENERGY STAR devices can have a slightly higher upfront cost. Still, they can save you money in the long run by reducing your electricity costs.
Use Clean Energy Alternatives
The use of clean energy-based products has increased substantially in recent years as they are becoming cheaper and more widespread. Solar power systems like the Jackery Solar Generators combine portable power stations with solar panels. If you have a suitable roof, you can install solar panels. Using clean energy alternatives reduces your electricity costs; you can even sell the electricity it produces back to the grid.
Jackery Solar Generators to Save Electric Bills
Jackery manufactures solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. It has sold 4 million units, saved around 590 million kWh of electricity, and reduced 585.2k tons of carbon emissions. Jackery Solar Generators is a solar power system that supplies clean and renewable solar energy. When placed under the sun, the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels capture solar energy and convert it into electric energy with the Jackery Portable Power Station. The power station has an in-built inverter that converts DC to AC and power the appliances. Jackery Solar Generator can reduce your dependency on conventional grid energy, and you can save significant costs on your electric bill.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a large-capacity generator that is easily accessible and can charge 99% of your appliances. Since it uses solar energy to supply power, conventional grid energy usage reduces and even becomes zero, thereby saving massive costs on electricity bills. It has a portable design and can charge in peace.
Appliances Working Hours
- Refrigerator (520W): 4.94H
- Microwave (960W): 2.67H
- Coffee machine (1500W): 1.71H
- TV (60W): 42.84H
Customer Review
“It worked well all night. Long on a heater to keep the cold out when the electricity went out.” -- Alicia
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
Due to its leaping performance, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can power heavy-duty devices and is also expandable for various scenarios. Whether you want an off-grid lifestyle or a hybrid, the solar generator can power your essential devices and provide you with even better comfort than conventional energy. It also reduces your electricity cost, provides electricity security, and is eco-friendly.
Appliances Working Hours
- Air Conditioner (1150W): 1.5H
- Kettle (850W): 2.04H
- Hand drill (400W): 4.34H
- Electric Oven (800W): 2.17H
Customer Review
“I like this thing. It's got a lot of power... It powered my air conditioner on high... It powered power tools. It's not that heavy... It doesn't take too long to charge... And I'll be buying everything to expand the whole system eventually. I like it. It's nice and portable.” -- Michael Wheeler
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) comes with an additional battery pack and solar panels, providing an additional backup energy supply. It can fully solar charge quickly and has long-lasting reliability. This sustainable next-generation generator is fumes-free, economical, noise-free, and easy to operate. You can charge your heavy, medium, or small appliances and use them throughout the day. While switching off-grid, solar generators can substantially reduce your electricity bills.
Appliances Working Hours
- Space Heater (1500W): 2.3H
- Iron (1100W): 3.1H
- Dishwasher (1700W): 2H
Customer Review
“The 2000 Plus battery pack is an excellent way to expand your storage if you already have one of the Jackery Solar Generators in the ‘Plus’ line. No frills, easy-to-use connections, and charging times were reported. Built-in handles make carrying simple.” -- Patrick Walz
How to Calculate The Electricity Bill?
Examining your monthly bill by spending extra minutes can help save and lower your carbon footprint. Before calculating your electricity bill, it is essential to understand what appliances and habits contribute to it. This will allow you to reduce your consumption and find areas to save. Here are the steps of how you can calculate your electricity bill:
Use An Online Calculator
An easy-to-use online electric bill calculator can give you a rough estimate depending on your appliances. These calculators require very little information and use the national average to estimate cost. However, advanced calculators are more accurate since they do not allow you to input more data.
Manual Calculation
Manual calculation is one of the most accurate ways to calculate your electricity. To add up your usage costs manually, you must use this formula to understand how you are calculating the cost:
Electricity cost = Energy consumption by appliances x number of operating hours x electricity cost at the operation time.
To manually calculate your electricity bill, prepare a list of all your significant devices, including HVAC systems, ACs, heaters, water heaters, washing machines, refrigerators, lights, dishwashers, and microwaves.
Next, calculate the wattage by using the formula Watts = (amps) x (volts) (divide by 1000 to convert into kWh). Wattage is the energy consumption by a device per second. Next, you should determine how often you use these appliances. The state electricity rate can be found online, and finally, to determine the cost, you can use the formula:
Cost = (kilowatt-hours) x (electricity rate)
Use A Monitoring Device
Unlike online calculators, electricity monitoring devices are not free and can cost several dollars. These devices can effortlessly give you the exact reading of your electricity usage. With the help of a monitoring device, you can predict which devices are consuming the most electricity and try to reduce the usage. Some advanced monitors can send you all the information and data about your electricity consumption on your phone.
What Uses the Most Electricity in A Home FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for my home?
Solar generators are an alternative to traditional generators and provide clean and renewable energy. If you invest in solar generators, you should know the right size based on the number of devices you want to power and for how long.
For example, a Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can charge an iron (1100W) and a computer (80W),
Working Time = Capacity in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances.
So, Working time = 2042.8Wh × 0.85 / 1180W = 1.47H
Note: While charging the devices, some power loss occurs; hence, multiplied by 0.85.
What wastes the most electricity in a house?
Some heavy-duty appliances, such as the heater, AC, refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven, TV, etc., consume the most electricity in the house.
Does unplugging save electricity?
When devices are not in use but still plugged in, they consume electricity (phantom load), and unplugging devices can save electricity.
Do kettles use a lot of electricity?
Due to its heating element, rapid boiling, and heat transfer, the kettle can draw around 30W of electricity each hour.
Does TV use a lot of electricity?
TV can use 60-80W of power depending on its size.
Household Energy Consumption
Home and lifestyle appliances are crucial to living a comfortable life and are easily accessible. With the availability of resources and renewable alternatives, monitoring your electricity consumption and saving on electricity costs is much easier. Some daily household appliances, such as heaters, cooling systems, refrigerators, computers, chargers, etc., consume the most electricity.
Understanding what uses the most electricity in a home is essential for effective energy management. Saving electricity has many benefits, including less pollution, energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reduction of fossil fuel. Solar power supply benefits the environment as it does not depend on non-renewable resources. Jackery Solar Generators provide clean and renewable energy and can help you in the long run by depending on natural energy sources.
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