Buzz
There are various strategies to reduce electricity expenses. However, it's best to prioritize the appliances that consume the most power. You shouldn't waste your efforts on devices that have a minimal impact on your energy bill.
We know that heating and air conditioning are major contributors to our energy bills, but the power consumption of some appliances isn’t as apparent. G.E. Miller, a blogger at 20 Something Finance, used an electricity monitor to identify which of his appliances were using the most energy:
While you can learn from my tests, your results may differ. Electric consumption isn't universally the same. To get accurate readings for your own situation, you would need to use an electricity monitoring device yourself... I didn’t test devices that were used occasionally or for specific tasks (like a blender or toaster in use), but rather focused on identifying where energy was being wasted by leaving things plugged in.
Miller analyzed the data by measuring watts used, the annual cost to operate, and the yearly CO2 emissions. These were the top three appliances or devices with the highest yearly cost:
Vizio 42″ LCD TV, on: $298.08
Refrigerator, closed (no light), running: $206.00
Macbook, charging engaged: $77.76
While you may not have much control over your fridge’s energy consumption, this data is helpful when you're figuring out how to reduce electricity usage. For example, installing a smart power strip on the LCD TV would be a smart move. Miller’s findings can also show you where it's not worth your time. For instance, charging your phone doesn’t really add much to your energy bill.
Here are a few more insightful findings and tips:
Sony BluRay, on: 16W, $20.74... I had been leaving it on because it took so long to start up. Not anymore. Saving $20/year.
DVRs are never truly "off". My DVR adds about $4 to my cable bill every month.
Adjust your computer's sleep settings to delay it by 3 or 5 minutes instead of 30 minutes or never. This could save you dozens of dollars each year.
As Miller points out, everyone's energy consumption will vary. However, his list provides a great overview of how various appliances compare in terms of energy use. Be sure to check out his full posts for even more helpful advice.
Image courtesy of Wonderlane.
