A big frustration for any homeowner or renter is when your power bill comes and it’s huge and you have no idea why. What you might not realise however is that your home appliances are probably the culprit. Some appliances more than others are the guilty party and even when you think they are turned off they may be actually sucking up your power.
Below we have listed some of the most energy draining appliances that you may have in your home.
Televisions- Usage does vary widely but can cost between $0.075-$0.18 per hour
Computer Monitors- Usage can vary widely but cost between $0.006-$0.05 per hour
Laptop- Usage can vary widely but can cost between $0.003-$0.01
Fridges and Freezers- Runs 24/7, costs around $100 each year to run
Ovens- Run on average an hour a day, these appliances can cost around $1000 a year to run
Clothes dryers- Usage can vary widely, but generally, cost around $100 per year
Dishwashers- General run costs including when on standby comes to about $0.09 per hour
Washing Machines- Usage can vary widely, but can generally cost about $80 per year
You may be shocked to realise how much running appliances actually increase your energy bill even when you think they are off or in standby mode
Don’t worry though there are a few ways to preserve your power bill and save you some cash!
- Unplug devices, not in use or used rarely- such as DVD players, heaters etc.
- Plug devices into a power strip
- Plug devices into a timer- You can purchase a digital timer to ensure that your unit is being turned off and on at the best times for you
- Adjust power setting- By simply setting your computer to go to sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity or disabling your “quick start” setting on your TV you can save a heap on your bills
- Buy energy star appliances- They are a volunteer-based organisation they determine how energy efficient certain appliances are
Although turning off appliances sounds like a great idea it can affect certain appliances such as microwaves negatively; Here is a short list of some appliances that you can unplug to save you some cash.
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Televisions
- DVD players and VCRs
- Modems
- Cable TV boxes
- Cordless phones
- Coffeemakers
- Lamps
- Toasters
- iPods and electronic gadgets that sap energy from plugs
Unplugging is the best way to save energy but always enquire about whether it is ok with your specific appliances, either from the store you purchase the unit or even the manufacturer themselves. Also if you want to see how much your actual appliances cost to run the information is usually available in the units manual, online or you can visit energy star Australia to get more comprehensive details and even compare units.
If you follow these quick and easy tips you are sure to be able to reduce your energy consumption and help save some money on those pesky electric bills!