As summer temperatures continue to rise and energy costs increase, now is a good time to be mindful of your household energy use.
With many appliances now marketed as energy efficient or ENERGY STAR® certified, it’s easy to overlook other household items that can significantly increase your electricity use. With energy conservation in mind, here are seven common household items that use a surprising amount of electricity:
Garage door openers
Garage door openers are a common feature in many homes and remain plugged in and ready to receive a signal at all times. Like refrigerators, they continuously draw electricity while on standby. If you are looking to improve efficiency, consider a smart garage door opener, which allows you to monitor and control your garage door remotely through a mobile app. Some homeowners may also benefit from solar-powered garage door systems, which can reduce reliance on grid electricity while providing reliable operation.
Clothing Iron, Coffee Maker, and Water Heater
These items are grouped together because they have one thing in common: they generate heat quickly. Whether you’re heating water for a shower, brewing your morning coffee, or removing wrinkles from your clothing, rapidly producing heat requires a significant amount of electricity.
To reduce your home’s energy consumption, consider using a steamer instead of a traditional iron. Steamers typically use around 900 watts of power, while some irons can require up to 1,800 watts.
You can also reduce energy use by unplugging your coffee maker when it’s not in use, as well as taking shorter showers to decrease hot water consumption.
Television
Televisions are a staple in most homes, and by now may households have more than one. Americans spend several hours each day watching TV, making it one of the more common sources of household energy use. Even when your television is turned off, it can continue to draw a small amount of electricity while plugged in.
To reduce energy consumption, consider unplugging your TV when you’re away from home for an extended period. This simple step can eliminate standby power usage and lower your electricity costs.
Phone Chargers
Phone chargers may not seem like significant energy users, but they can still consume electricity when left plugged into an outlet, even if they are not actively charging a device. This small amount of standby power can add up over time.
To reduce unnecessary energy consumption, unplug your phone chargers when they are not in use. It is a simple habit that can help improve energy efficiency.
While many of these household items are essential parts of daily life, using them wisely can help reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Taking simple steps, such as unplugging electronics, limiting standby power use, and choosing energy-efficient options, when possible, can make a meaningful difference on your electric bill. A few small adjustments today can lead to energy savings throughout the year.
You can find more tips and tricks on how to save energy in your home by visiting NOPEC's Energy Savings Center.
