The Top 4 Energy-Guzzling Appliances In Your Home

Everyone who owns a home these days understands the importance of saving energy. Being responsible with your power usage can help you save a lot of money on your electricity bill each month. Even beyond that, it can reduce heat production within your home, and lower usage is not only healthy, but safer for you and your home as well. It can also help the environment by reducing demand on large-scale power sources.

However, it can’t always be clear what might be using up more power. We talked to local contractors at Adam’s Air Conditioning in Port St. Lucie Florida to get the inside scoop on what we’re spending our money on -- and how to spend a little less.

Air Conditioning and Cooling Systems

Living in Florida, it’s probably pretty clear that a massive draw on your electricity can come from your Air Conditioning system, or other cooling device. A window unit air conditioner can range from 200-650 kWh, a central cooling systems can range from 300-900 kWh, and heat pumps can range double that, at around 600-1,800 kWh. This can add up considerably during the summer as well.

* Have it checked by a professional annually.

* Check and replace/clean air filters regularly.

* Make sure your home is properly insulated, with at least 16 inches of insulation in the attic.

* Get a programmable or timed thermostat, and adjust it based on the season and when you are present at/absent from your home.

* Invest in a solar-based cooling system.

Heating Systems

It’s probably more of a surprise given the previous point that heating systems would be on this list. While they might not be used as much as cooling systems, they can consume a lot of energy. Electric furnaces can consume anywhere from 200 kWh up to 3,500 kWh! Heating systems can take up to 30% of your annual electricity costs. Combined with cooling, it can add up to 50%!

* As suggested before, a programmable or timed thermostat can greatly improve efficiency.

* Make sure the thermostat is clear of cooling or heating sources.

* Lower it to the lowest lowest comfortable temperature.

* Insulate and seal your air ducts.

* Invest in a solar heating system.

Water Heater

Water plays a big role in our lives, and often life is more comfortable when sources of both cool and warm water are available. That is precisely why your water heater is a common energy-guzzler. Your shower, washing machine, dishwasher, and more rely on warm or hot water to complete their tasks. It can range from 12-15% of your annual energy costs.

* Make sure your heater doesn’t heat beyond 120∘F/30∘C.

* Insulate your heater, as well as the first couple of feet of piping, so as to retain heat as it flows from the heater to your home.

* Remove a quart or two of water every month or so, to reduce sediment build-up.

* Reduce the amount of hot/warm water you need to use, such as taking shorter showers, washing with cold water, etc.

Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are common devices here in Florida. Being such a wet and humid state, such devices are necessary for both our health, and the health of our homes. Nonetheless, being such popular devices that can be used almost constantly, it’s easy to understand why they might consume so much power. In fact, a dehumidifier can consume anywhere from 60 to 1000 kWh.

* Seal rooms where it is being used. Outside air will bring in more humidity and force your appliance to work harder.

* Get a digital humidistat, and select reasonable humidity levels, so that your device isn’t running all the time.