There are so many gadgets in our homes that make our lives a lot easier, but have you ever thought about how much they’re costing you? It’s not just the up-front cost that’s important but also the continual drain they’re putting on your electricity bill. Here are 25 things in your home that might be using more electricity than you think and some alternatives you might want to try.
The Cost of Being Cozy
We all love a cozy room, but space heaters can increase your electric meter like crazy, even if they’re small. If you’re running a 1,500-watt heater all day, it can get pretty expensive. Instead of cranking up the heater, why not throw on a sweater or use your home’s heating system more efficiently? This simple switch can save you some serious cash.
Cool Comfort
Similarly, those portable air conditioners certainly feel like a lifesaver when it’s hot, but they sure use a lot of power, too. If you’re just cooling one room, it might not seem like a big deal, although you’ll definitely feel hot under the collar after you see your electricity bill. A ceiling or stationary fan can be just as refreshing and way cheaper in the long run.
Sucking Out Energy
If you’ve got some dampness in your house, a dehumidifier can fix that right up, but keep an eye on how much energy it’s using. These machines are quietly chugging away at your power supply, and the cost can really increase over time. Try cracking open a window or improving airflow in your home for a low-cost solution.
Chilling Your Budget
That old refrigerator might be doing its job, but it’s not great for your electric bill, as older models just aren’t as efficient as the newer ones. If your fridge is over ten years old, you might want to get a new Energy Star-rated one. Although it might be more costly upfront, the investment will pay off by reducing your energy costs down the road.
Baking Your Wallet
If you love baking, be careful with those traditional electric ovens. They can heat up your kitchen and your electric bill because they draw a lot of power every time you use them. For small meals or heating leftovers, just put them in the microwave or toaster oven instead. You’ll save energy and keep your kitchen cooler, which is great for fighting dampness.
Spinning Away
Aleksandra Suzi / Shutterstock.
Most of us have dryers in our homes because they’re a pretty convenient way to dry our clothes, but did you know that they’re some of the biggest energy users around? When the weather’s good, you’re better off hanging your laundry on a line. It’s free energy from the sun, and your clothes will get that gorgeous natural smell you can’t get from a dryer.
Screen Time That Pays
If you’re watching your favorite shows on a plasma TV, then be prepared for them to increase your electricity bill, too. They use a lot more energy than you might think, especially compared to newer LED or LCD screens. You should try upgrading if your old one’s on its way out, or at least adjust the brightness on it to save some juice.
Underwater Energy
Aquariums constantly need power for heaters, filters, and so much more, and these costs eventually add up on your electric bill. For anyone who loves their fish but not the high costs, try looking into energy-efficient equipment. LED lights and better pumps can make a huge difference.
Pulling the Plug
Who doesn’t love playing a good video game? Unfortunately, even gaming consoles aren’t innocent, as they’ll use up your energy like nobody’s business, especially in standby mode. Make sure to turn them off completely when you’re done playing to keep those power bills at bay.
Soaking the Stress
Nothing beats relaxing in a hot tub, but seeing that electricity bill is enough to make you want to get rid of the whole thing. To cut down on costs, keep your tub covered when you’re not using it. This will help it to keep heat inside and eventually reduce how much power it needs. Or better yet, you could stick to having a warm bath.
Watering It Down
Water beds are so 90s, but there are still some people out there who have them, although many of them don’t realize how expensive they are to heat up during the winder. Try using some warmer bedding or a thermal blanket to keep warm without high energy costs. You could also try getting a model that’s more heat-efficient or has better insulation.
Expensive Luxury
Wine coolers are definitely convenient, although the cost of keeping those bottles at the perfect temperature isn’t so great. You could try putting your wine in a cool and dark place in the house to keep it just as well without the added cost. If you’re determined to keep your cooler, make sure you’re only running it when you’ve got company or for special occasions.
Bright Idea and Bright Costs
Halogen lights are great at lighting up your room, but they also burn through more electricity than LED bulbs. Switching to LED can reduce your lighting costs by up to 80%, and they’ll also last a lot longer than halogen bulbs. You’ll be saving money in the short term and the long run. What could be better than that?
Home Office
Running a home business with a server or two is pretty important, but they’re also eating into your energy bill quite a bit. You should turn them off during off hours or at least upgrade to a more energy-efficient mode. If that’s not your thing, try looking into server virtualization, which could reduce your overall power use.
Quick Boil and a Higher Bill
Anyone who drinks a lot of tea will know just how useful electric kettles are. But have you ever really thought about how much it costs to keep boiling? You should heat just what you need, or at least switch to a stovetop kettle. Although it’s a little more time, you’ll be using a lot less power and help cut down on water waste.
Yeast and Energy Feast
While breadmakers can bring the smell and feel of a bakery right into your kitchen, they often use up a lot of energy, too. You can still indulge in that fresh loaf without the huge electricity bill by baking during off-peak hours. Or better yet, why not bake multiple batches at once and then freeze them? This way, you’ll have delicious bread throughout the week.
Swimming into Savings
During those hot summers, nothing beats taking a dip in your own pool, but keeping that water crystal clear can really pump up your energy bill. Instead of letting it run wild, you should run it only when needed and reduce its operation time. Covering the pool when you’re not using it will also keep the debris out, so you’ll need to run the pump less.
Powerful But Pricey
There’s no denying that a central vacuum system can make cleaning a breeze, but it’ll also vacuum up your money with how much energy it’s using. To keep your floors clean and your bills low, use the system efficiently. For example, gather your cleaning and do it all at once instead of doing lots of short ones, or grab a broom for a quick sweep.
Flatten Your Costs
Does anybody actually like ironing? But this chore doesn’t have to be a drain on your power, too. Irons heat up fast and can use up a lot of electricity, especially if you’re ironing each piece separately. Try to iron clothes in batches to keep things efficient, or you could try using a steam iron to do things faster.
Expensive Entertainment
Even if they’re on standby, your satellite box is costing you quite a bit, so you should turn it off completely when you’re not using it. Better yet, you should try moving to a streaming service that you can actually turn off to cut down on how much power you’re using. You’ll have more things to watch, and it could even be cheaper for you.
Costly Convenience
Built-in ice makers are an absolute lifesaver during summer, but the effect on your energy bill can get you hot under the collar. You might want to turn it off and go old school by making ice in trays. This way, you’re only using energy when you need it, and you can stockpile ice in freezer bags for later.
Breathe Easy
Vent fans are great for keeping your air fresh and clean, especially in steamy bathrooms and kitchens. But watch out if you leave them running because they’ll blow away your savings, too. It’s pretty easy to just turn them off when you’re not using them, and you should also try cleaning them regularly so they’re running efficiently.
Effective but Expensive
Window AC units aren’t the most energy-efficient. If you really want to beat the heat without burning up your wallet, try using some newer and more energy-efficient models. You could also install them in shaded windows and make sure they’re well-sealed so they’ll keep their cooling power.
Over-Running Your Badget
A treadmill at home is a pretty convenient way to keep up with your fitness without needing to go to the gym. Unfortunately, a treadmill can run up your energy bill quite a bit, so be careful when you use it. If the weather’s good, why not go for a run in the park? It’s great for your wallet and your mind, too.
Keeping Guard
Security systems can be quite a surprising drain on your energy, as they’re always using electricity and looking out for movement. When you’re home, you should change the settings to slash those energy costs. You could also integrate it with any smart home technology to get better control and reduce your energy use.
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