The Shocking Truth

How Much Energy Are Your Appliances Using?

By: Michelle Reneau

Last year's fuel fiasco has most people thinking about all-over energy costs. At MHL, we're especially observant of home-energy costs. So after a little research (and a lot of math), our calculations about home appliances equaled these solutions.

Lighting
"Try replacing incandescent outdoor lights with high-pressure sodium lights," suggests Mark Brownstein, a Mr. Electric franchise owner in Columbus, Ohio. "The bulbs last longer and use less energy." They also handle temperature extremes better. These higher-efficiency fixtures are frequently used for security and outdoor lighting.

Be sure that you're reading bulb packages carefully. Remember, watts measure the amount of energy needed; lumens measure how much light a bulb produces. Energy-saving bulbs produce more lumens per watt of electricity used. And dust light fixtures regularly. A heavy coat of dust can block up to 50 percent of the light output.

Timers, Motion Switches, and Programmable Thermostats
"There are 24-hour timers you can have installed that allow you to set different times for each day of the week," states Michael McGrew, who with his wife, Donna, runs Mr. Electric in Dayton, Ohio. Brownstein agrees: "These timers allow a fluctuation in specific times. So when you're away, the lights don't come on at eight and go off at two every night."

"I also suggest motion switches for areas like kids' closets," says McGrew. He thought of this idea while working at his church. "While I was walking around looking at all the lights that were on, I realized how much we could be saving." Now he recommends them to people for their homes as well. And not only do motion switches help save electricity, they prevent bumps in the night.

Programmable thermostats help, too. The math: If you use it to set back the temperature by 10 degrees for eight hours each night, you're lowering your bill by 10 percent. (Important note: Setting the thermostat higher than you actually want it won't heat your home any faster. And it will keep your furnace running longer than necessary.)

Sealing and Insulation
First and foremost, keep the energy you've already paid for in. Sealing doors and windows with caulk, weather stripping, and plastic film goes a long way. And the investment in weatherizing supplies can reduce heating costs by two to three times. Check insulation levels throughout your house by measuring it with a ruler. Insulation is rated by its R-value, which measures how well it holds back heat. The higher the R-value, the better. And the thicker the insulation, the higher the R-value (i.e. bare concrete walls are about R-1, while attic insulation in newly built Midwestern homes usually measures about R-44). Have a leaky roof repaired and make sure your basement is waterproofed. Wet insulation is worthless.

Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling account for a large portion of your electric bill. By having your units inspected annually, you can reduce your annual cost up to five percent. Don't judge the efficiency of your air conditioner by the sound of the fan shutting on and off. The blower will continue to circulate cooled air throughout your home up to 15 minutes after the compressor has stopped. The same holds true for the furnace.

In the Laundry
Clean the lint screen on the dryer every time you use the machine. A clogged lint screen can make your dryer use up to 30 percent more energy. You should also dry one load of clothes immediately after another. This will minimize heat loss, reducing warm-up and drying times.

In the Kitchen
When possible, use smaller kitchen appliances. Microwaves, toaster ovens, and slow-cookers can use 75 percent less energy than larger ovens. Your refrigerator should be kept at 36 to 38 degrees, the freezer 0 to 5; and avoid overloading them. The air needs to circulate to keep foods at the appropriate temperature.

Overall
Many appliances, especially computers and televisions, use power even when turned off. You should turn off and unplug the electrical devices you're not using. Especially when you leave for vacation. "If not just for energy savings, to protect the appliance itself," says McGrew. "Give your appliances a rest when you take a vacation." Finally, use your green thumb: Plant a tree. Well-placed shade trees reduce your cooling costs.

You Do the Math
You can usually find the wattage of most appliances on the nameplate on the back or bottom of the appliance. The wattage listed is the maximum power drawn by the appliance. Here's the basic formula for calculating your appliance's average annual cost: watts x hours used per day x days used per year divided by 1,000. This is your kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption. Then multiply that number by your local utility's rate per kWh consumed.

Michelle Reneau is a Dallas-based editor who, frankly, was astonished to find out how much energy her refrigerator used.