What Uses the Most Energy in Your Home

We use energy every day in many different aspects of our daily lives, and while there are some obvious sources of energy consumption, you may not realize how much certain appliances use in your home. Any device that is plugged in or using a pilot light is drawing some power and could contribute to using the most energy in your home.

Beware of These Energy Hogs

From small household appliances and light bulbs to HVAC systems, there are changes you can make to help better manage your energy bill.

1. Heaters

Heaters are by far the biggest energy consumers in homes, using up 32% of the energy used therein. Therefore, this is the area where energy reduction efforts should be concentrated the most. Conducting an energy audit is one of the first steps because it can show homeowners where energy is being wasted. Old heaters and those with mechanical issues can be very inefficient so replacing them is a good idea. Insulation problems are a major source of heat loss and should also be corrected.

2. Water Heaters

Water heaters are the second-largest energy consumers in a home, consuming 13.6% of total energy. Finding energy-efficient solutions is a top priority when trying to cut consumption because they are required for year-round use. Installing a tankless water heater is one option because they only heat water when it is actually needed, as opposed to doing so continuously throughout the day. A solar water heater is an additional option that uses renewable energy.

3. Air Conditioners

With nearly 11% of the total, cooling a house uses significantly less energy than heating one does. It is still third on the list, so it should be one of the areas where energy efficiency efforts are concentrated. Cool air can escape from a house just like heat can. In order to prevent cool air from escaping or hot summer air from entering, weatherstripping a home can also help seal up gaps and cracks. Installing a new air conditioner should also be taken into consideration because new ones are over 98% efficient.

4. Refrigerators

In a typical home, the refrigerator uses around 5% of the total energy. Newer appliances use less energy, as was already mentioned, so switching to a newer, smart fridge is advised. Owners are informed if there are any issues by smart refrigerators. Energy Star-rated appliances are always the best for reducing energy consumption.

5. Clothes Dryers

A clothes dryer is another appliance that can be swapped out for a more recent, Energy Star-rated model, just like refrigerators. Reduce your reliance on clothes dryers because they consume around 3% of the energy in your house. The use of line drying should be encouraged whenever possible.

6. Lighting

About 3% of the energy used for a home’s energy use is for lighting. Even though it might not seem like much on its own, adding other appliances will have a bigger impact when it comes to energy conservation. Energy can be saved by switching to smart lighting that recognizes when a person leaves a room.

7. Home Entertainment Equipment

The energy used by home entertainment equipment, which consumes 2.8% of the energy used in a home, can be reduced by using smart plugs. Smart plugs completely turn off the electricity, typically overnight. They can monitor energy data to learn how to better manage how various devices are used.

8. Cooking Appliances

Over 1% of the energy used in the average home is used by kitchen appliances for cooking. Even though it isn’t a huge sum on its own, it can still be significantly decreased by changing habits. Using the proper pots and pans, picking the appropriate appliance, and maintaining the cleanliness of the appliances are a few examples.

9. Computer Equipment

Computers and other computing equipment consume 1.1% of the energy consumed at home. To help reduce this amount, computers should be completely turned off at night. Furthermore, some computers use less energy than others, so when it comes time to buy a new one, it is a good idea to compare prices.

10. Furnace Fans & Boiler Circulation Pumps

The parts that power devices that heat homes and water contribute to energy consumption. In this case, one way to save energy is to switch to a heat pump, which is one of the most energy-efficient options, though they are mostly recommended for mild climates. Choose high-efficiency furnaces and boilers for colder climates.

Contact Sanks to Discuss How to Save Energy in Your Home

If your home could benefit from a more efficient heating and cooling system, the team at Sanks Mechanical are the experts in the Montgomery, Bucks, and Philadelphia areas that you can count on. Call 1-215-960-4803 or contact us to schedule a replacement consultation or with any questions that you may have.