How Much Energy Does a House Use? Top Energy-Guzzling Appliances

he average power usage for a home in the United States varies depending on a wide number of factors, which we will explore later in this article.

‍What's the average energy usage for a home?

On average, however, a home in the U.S. used about 10,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) in 2021, which works out to around 880 kWh per month, the U.S. Energy  Information Administration (EIA) reports. Louisiana homes used the most power, with an average of about 14,300 kWh per year, while homes in Hawaii had the lowest power usage at 6,370 kWh per year on average.

Determining average power usage in your home

To determine how much energy your home uses on average, check your power bills. They should provide you with information on how much energy your home has consumed in a given period. You can use this information to calculate the average monthly or yearly usage of your home. Additionally, most homes have an energy meter that displays the total amount of energy consumed. Check the meter to see the current reading and note it down.

You can also utilize a smart plug or an energy monitor to track the energy usage of your house over a while. This will give you a more accurate picture of how much energy your home consumes daily, weekly, or monthly.

Factors that affect the energy consumption in your home

There are many things that can affect how much energy a home consumes, including the dimensions and design of the house, the appliances and lighting used, the number of residents in the home, and the weather.

How many people live in your home can affect how much energy it consumes. A larger home with many occupants will typically need more power than a home with fewer occupants. This is because more people in the home will be using appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling systems on a regular basis.

Additionally, how individuals behave and what habits they have can significantly affect the average power usage in their homes. For example, reducing unnecessary lighting and appliance usage and properly maintaining heating and cooling systems in a house can all help minimize home power usage.

Power consumption of a home can be affected by the appliances and lighting a house has because energy-efficient devices and lights can significantly reduce energy usage. Additionally, how many and what type of appliances a home has can determine power consumption. Obviously, a home with multiple large appliances like refrigerators and freezers may need more power than a home with only a few small appliances.

Ultimately, the weather can take its toll on how much energy a home consumes. For example, in colder regions, homes may require more power to heat up during the winter, while in hotter climates, they may need more energy to cool down during the summer. Plus, extreme weather events like heatwaves or cold spells can also cause a home to use more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Backup power ensures continuity during outages, vital for homes & businesses. It sustains operations, safety, and comfort, mitigating risks of blackouts.

The biggest energy hogs in home & tips for reducing their consumption

So how can we reduce average power consumption and save on monthly utility bills? One way is by identifying which appliances in our homes are taking the most power and finding out how to reduce their usage or replace them with more energy-efficient options. Let's take a look at the biggest power guzzlers in homes and figure out how to make them more eco-friendly.

The average size of a solar panel is around 65 inches by 39 inches, with a typical power output of 300-400 watts per panel.

Refrigerator

A refrigerator is one of the most essential appliances in a home as it helps to keep food fresh and prevent spoilage. However, it also consumes a significant amount of energy, which can add to the monthly utility bills. The exact amount of energy consumed by a home refrigerator depends on its size, age, and efficiency. A typical fridge uses about 1.4 kilowatt hours of energy per day, which adds up to around 41 kilowatt hours per month. That means it uses around 500 kW / hour per year, so it can cost a homeowner in New York or Vermont over $100 per year to run. In California or Connecticut, it can cost even more, over $130 per year.

But how can homeowners looking to save on their energy bills reduce their fridge’s usage? Keep it full, set the temperature correctly, and regularly clean the condenser coils. Investing in an energy-efficient fridge can also help save on power costs over time, thanks to advanced features like multi-airflow cooling and smart sensors that help maintain a consistent temperature in a house and cut down on energy usage.

Air conditioner

Air conditioners are necessary for many homes, especially during the hot summer months. However, they can also be a major contributor to high energy consumption. How much energy an air conditioner uses depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the unit, the efficiency of the system, and the length of time it runs.

On average, a 3-ton central air conditioner uses 3.5 kilowatt hours, with larger units consuming more. This means that a typical home AC can add between $100-$300 to your monthly electric bill. To reduce your average power consumption and save money, consider purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioner, using a programmable thermostat to control the house temperature, and regularly maintaining and cleaning your unit.

Dishwasher

On average, a home dishwasher can consume anywhere between 1.2 to 1.6 kilowatt hours per wash cycle. This may not seem like a big deal, but if the appliance works for many hours daily, it does add up to a significant amount of average power usage over time.

Here are some tips on how to reduce the amount of energy needed to run a dishwasher. First, only run it when it is full. This will allow for more efficient usage of the appliance and will require less energy to clean the same amount of dishes. Second, select the appropriate wash cycle for the type and amount of dishes cleaned. Using a heavy-duty cycle for a small load of dishes will use more energy than necessary. It’s also better to avoid using the heat-dry option, as this can add to the dishwasher’s energy usage. Instead, allow the dishes to air-dry or wipe them down with a dish towel.

Water heater

Water heaters are appliances found in many homes that provide hot water for showers, laundry, and dishwashing. These appliances typically use electricity as the primary source of power to heat the water for a house.

Energy usage by water heaters can account for a significant portion of monthly energy consumption. So how can homeowners reduce their water heater's energy usage? By purchasing a more efficient model, using less hot water, or insulating the tank to retain heat better. Additionally, regular maintenance and replacing old water heaters can also help reduce energy usage and save on energy costs.

Electric oven

Electric ovens need a significant amount of energy. This is because they generate heat to cook the food, which requires a lot of energy. In addition, electric ovens often have many heating elements and fans to distribute heat evenly, which also contributes to their power usage. The exact amount of energy an electric oven consumes will vary depending on its size, type, and the food being cooked. However, on average, a home oven can use between 1,500 and 2,000 watts of energy per hour of operation. This means that using an electric oven regularly can add significantly to your monthly energy bill.

How renewable energy can help reduce home energy bills

One of the most effective ways to reduce your energy bill is to tap into renewable power. By adopting green energy at home, you can make a positive contribution to the environment and save money on your power bills at the same time.

The most popular renewable choice for homes is solar panel systems. These panels installed on a house capture the sun’s energy and convert it into energy that can power the home. This energy can be used to run appliances, lights, and other electronics, reducing the need for grid power and lowering energy bills. Another option for generating renewable power at home is to install a wind turbine. The turbines produce energy by harnessing the power of the wind. Despite being quite expensive to install, they can generate a significant amount of energy for a house, making them an effective way to reduce both reliance on the grid and energy bills.

Still have questions? Watch this video about a power consumption at home

Conclusion: The importance of mindful home power use

There are several steps you can take to reduce your average home energy usage and save money on monthly utility bills. One of the most productive ways is to invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting for a house and take control of their usage. You also want to make sure your home is properly insulated, and windows and doors in a house are properly sealed to prevent drafts. Additionally, you can buy a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature in a home based on the time of day and the dwellers’ schedules.

For long-term savings, consider switching to renewable sources of power. By installing solar panels or a wind turbine, homeowners can generate their own energy, significantly reducing their energy costs.

Overall, by taking steps to reduce their home energy use, you can help to conserve resources and reduce your carbon footprint. Additionally, lowering power usage can save you money on monthly utility bills and help to create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for all.

Sources:

https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?