Unplug These 8 Appliances That Hike Up Your Electricity Bill
The average U.S. household pays around $140 to $170 for electricity each month, though that amount varies greatly depending on where you live and the season. Still, whether you wake up in Hawaii or Maine, you may be wondering how you can save a little money this winter.
Here, energy and financial experts weigh in on which appliances hike up the cost of your electricity bill in the winter -- and you might want to consider unplugging.
Hot Water Recirculation Pump
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“If you want to save money on your electricity bill this winter, unplug your hot water recirculation pump,” he said. “Plug it into a timer instead and program it to switch off in the middle of the night when no one is using hot water. This can save you between $30 [and] $95 annually.”
Space Heaters
Vikas Kaushik, CEO of TechAhead, recommended unplugging your space heater.
“These devices have the potential to consume a lot of energy,” he said. “If you must use a space heater, use it in the rooms where you spend most of your time and only when necessary.”
Electric Water Heaters
“To minimize heat loss,” Kaushik said, “think about insulating your water heater and lowering the temperature. Additionally, think about conserving hot water by doing laundry with cold water and taking shorter showers.”
Inefficient Lights
Kaushik also mentioned turning off or replacing inefficient lighting.
“Older fluorescent lights and incandescent bulbs waste energy,” he warned. “Make the switch to energy-saving LED or CFL bulbs, which generate less heat and need less electricity.”
Unused Electronics
With the growing number of electronic devices in each household, the more you can unplug, the better.
“Even when they are turned off, a lot of electronic devices still draw power while they are connected,” Kaushik explained. “When not in use, unplug game consoles, chargers and other electronics. Alternatively, utilize smart power strips to simultaneously turn off the power to several devices.”
Televisions
“While more energy-efficient now, older models can still use a lot of power,” Kaushik said. If you have an older model, Kaushik suggests replacing it with a more energy-efficient one.
He also recommended, “When you’re not actively viewing TV, turn it off as well. You may lower your wintertime power costs and improve the energy efficiency of your house by paying attention to these appliances and taking action to limit their energy usage.”
Secondary Refrigerators
Brian Meiggs, an entrepreneur and the founder of My Millennial Guide, said, “Older fridge and freezer units in the garage or basement can use quite a bit of energy even when running sparingly. He explained that unplugging the extra fridge and consolidating items into your primary refrigerator “can shave up to $100 off your winter electricity costs.”
Electric Stoves and Ovens
“Cooking with electric stoves and ovens, especially for extended periods, can significantly contribute to your electricity bill,” Meiggs said. “Cook multiple items simultaneously to maximize oven use. Use lids on pots and pans to cook food faster. Consider investing in energy-efficient induction cooktops, which heat up faster and waste less energy. Opt for smaller kitchen appliances like microwaves or toaster ovens for reheating and smaller meals, as they use less energy than conventional ovens.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
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