Many of your most important household products and appliances run on electricity, but how much of it is actually required, and how much does it cost?
Opower recently conducted research into the cost of charging an iPhone 6. They analyzed how long it takes to fully charge the iPhone’s battery from 0% to 100% and discovered that it only consumed 10.5 watt-hours (Wh) of electricity. Surprisingly, after calculating the facts, they discovered that completely charging your iPhone every day for a year only costs $0.47.
We were motivated by this information and decided to compile our own. We looked at ten common household items and determined how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) it would take to power them for a year if you used them every day. We then calculated typical electricity expenses using 12.29 cents as the average price per kWh. Here’s a look at which of your household products uses the most electricity and is most likely blowing your monthly energy budget.
Hair Dryer Electricity Costs
When getting ready, you should set up 30 minutes to utilize a hair dryer. Because a hair dryer uses 1200 watts to run for an hour, it only uses 600 watts, or 600 Wh, or 0.6 kWh, to run for 30 minutes. When we multiply this usage by the number of days in a year, we find that you pay $26.92 per year to dry your hair every day at a rate of 12.19 cents per kWh.
This single gadget costs about $30 per year, and even if you don’t use it frequently, the amount of electricity it uses for a single use could be driving up your energy bill. If you want to save money on this equipment, try using it less. Take fewer showers or let your hair air dry as an option. You’ll use less water and, as a result, less electricity to dry your hair than you would ordinarily. Make sure the equipment is unplugged as well.
Refrigerator Electricity Costs
To keep your food fresh, a refrigerator must run 24 hours a day. This means that the 180 watts per hour it produces must be multiplied by the 24 hours it can be used. As a result, a refrigerator consumes 4320 Wh, or 4.32 kWh, every day of the year. When we multiply this by 365 days at the average price per kWh, we get $193.70 per year for your refrigerator.
Every year, you pay about $200 to keep your food fresh. A refrigerator is necessary, but the exorbitant cost of power is not. Purchase a less energy-consuming appliance to save money on this appliance. Simply because of how they are manufactured, Energy Star appliances and others can save you hundreds of dollars. These appliances are designed to be more energy efficient and effective in order to save you money. You can also load your refrigerator with cold goods to make keeping the food chilly easier. Allow hot goods, such as soup and spaghetti, to cool before putting them in the refrigerator.
Laptop Electricity Costs
When a 14-15 inch laptop is charged for one hour, the suggested charging period, it requires 60 watts. As a result, it takes 60 Wh (0.06kWh) to fully charge the battery. When we calculate this by the number of days in a year and the average cost per kWh, we find that fully charging your laptop every day costs $2.69 per year.
Given how frequently a laptop is used, this is a very low cost, similar to the iPhone. If you believe the electricity bill is excessive, simply use the laptop until the battery is entirely down, then leave it away to recharge. When a laptop is utilized while charging, it takes longer and consumes more energy to reach 100 percent battery capacity.
Light Bulb Electricity Costs
An typical incandescent light consumes 60 watts per hour, but a CFL bulb consumes only 14 watts. Every day, the average home leaves the lights on for around 3 hours. This means that a three-hour run of an incandescent bulb uses 180 Wh (0.18 kWh), while a CFL uses 42 Wh (0.042 kWh). So, whereas an incandescent bulb costs $8.07 per year, a CFL light costs only $1.88 per year, saving you $6.
Both of these bulb prices may appear reasonable, but with an average household having over 40 bulbs, your lights, particularly incandescent, may quickly add up on your electricity bills.
Switching to CFL or LED light bulbs is the greatest method to save electricity and cut your lighting expenditures. You can save $6 each year by changing just one lightbulb. Consider how much money you could save if you replaced ten, twenty, or even all of your home’s 40 or so bulbs.
Dishwasher Electricity Costs
Many of us believe that a dishwasher uses more water and power than hand-washing dishes, and they may be correct, at least in terms of the latter. A dishwasher uses roughly 1800 watts to run for an hour, and the average washer uses more than 2 hours. This means it uses 3600 Wh, or 3.6 kWh, on average, costing roughly $161.50 per year if used every day.
Reduce the number of times you run your dishwasher to save money. If you just use it once a week, for example, your annual costs will reduce from $161 to just $23.
Coffee Maker Electricity Costs
To brew 4 cups of coffee, the typical coffee maker takes 10 minutes. A coffee maker consumes roughly 800 watts per hour, or 133.33 Wh, or 0.133 kWh, to operate. If you brew coffee every day, this means you’ll spend $5.90 per year. Your coffee maker’s electricity expenditures are almost as much as incandescent light bulbs, but happily, most households only have one coffee maker, not 40.
Make careful to disconnect your coffee maker after each usage to avoid incurring any further expenditures. Even if it isn’t being used, a coffee maker consumes energy just by being switched on or plugged in. Other functions, such as the clock or the cleaning mechanism, run continuously throughout the day and consume electricity.
Washer & Dryer Electricity Costs
Washers and dryers are widely used and notorious for consuming a lot of electricity. What’s surprising is that a washing machine uses significantly less electricity than a dryer.
A typical washing machine cycle lasts 30 minutes. This appliance, which is a popular Energy Star model, uses 500 watts per hour to operate, which translates to 250 Wh (2.25 kWh) for 30 minutes of operation. A washing machine’s annual electricity expenditures are only $11.21 if used every day for a year. It would only cost $1.60 per year if ran once a week.
Your dryer, on the other hand, uses 3000 watts per hour and runs for 45 minutes or more, depending on the load. 2250 Wh (2.25 kWh) is required for one dryer cycle. If you run it every day for a year, you will spend $100.93 on power. However, if you simply run it once a week, the cost drops to $14.38.
Air drying your clothing or only using the appliances once a week is an easy approach to lower your laundry’s electricity costs. Washing your clothes less often and air drying them saves not only energy but also the quality of your garments. You might also buy Energy Star appliances to replace your old ones. They are gaining in popularity on the market and, as demonstrated, can help you save a lot of money on your electricity bills.
Microwave, Oven & Stove Electricity Costs
We calculated that a microwave is used for 15 to 30 minutes each day on average. An average microwave uses roughly 1200 watts per hour to operate. As a result, it takes 300 Wh, or 0.3 kWh, to run for 15 minutes, and it costs around $13.46 to use every day for a year.
An oven, on the other hand, takes significantly longer and uses a lot more energy to reach a high temperature. On medium to high heat, an oven consumes 2400 watts per hour, while a stovetop consumes 1500 watts per hour. Even though a microwave appears to be expensive, it is a faster and more efficient way to cook if you want to save energy and money.
If you want to save money on your microwave’s power bill, make sure you set the appropriate time and cooking level for your meal so it doesn’t run any longer than it needs to.
Takeaways
Apart from the iPhone, the washing machine used on a weekly basis was the cheapest household product on our list. Electricity expenditures for an Energy Star washer were only $1.60 per year. The most expensive appliance was the refrigerator, which costs $193.70 per year and works 24 hours a day.
In general, disconnect, turn off, and avoid using energy-intensive items as much as possible. Fortunately, your iPhone is the least of your concerns.
How much does it cost per load to run a washer and dryer?
Something appears to be missing… Isn’t it still a touch moist in there? The dryer is often the most costly aspect of the procedure. According to Bluejay, a 45-minute dryer run in Kansas City will cost $.36.
If you don’t factor in the other variables, that’s a relatively low figure. What are the other variables?
First, think about how long your washer and dryer will last. Each time one of your computers is used, it depreciates. Washers and dryers can last a long time if they are properly maintained.
Sears has made a name for itself as a manufacturer of washers and dryers. For decades, they have been a market leader in the washer and dryer industry. According to their website, a washer and dryer combo should last ten (10) to thirteen (13) years on average. Some may not live as long as others, but thirteen is a reasonable number.
The amount of loads of laundry that a washer/dryer combination can handle determines how long it will survive. Washing machines, according to SFGate, can last anywhere from 1400 to 1800 cycles. Each use will cost $.24 if a customer buys an average washer and dryer that is built to last 1500 cycles (unless you rent).
Doing laundry costs $528.32 per year if you do eight loads each week. Additional costs such as dryer sheets, fabric softener, add-in perfumes, and ironing are not included in this number. Doing laundry has suddenly become a little more expensive than you had anticipated.
How much does a dryer cost in terms of utilities?
Your dryer undoubtedly uses a lot of energy compared to the rest of your home’s appliances. Most heat-producing appliances, such as your furnace, water heater, and oven, fall into this category.
A motor that turns the drum and a fan that blows hot air are both powered by electricity in all dryers. For digital displays and control panels, some newer devices may utilize a small amount of electricity. However, the majority of a dryer’s energy is used to generate heat, which can be done with either electricity or natural gas.
How much electricity does an electric dryer use?
Electric dryers come in a variety of wattages, ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 watts. This equates to approximately 2 to 6 kilowatt-hours of power. Electric drying will cost between 24 and 72 cents per hour, depending on the model, based on the national average rate of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour.
How much energy does a gas dryer use?
The heat output of a gas dryer is measured in British thermal units (BTUs), and most gas dryers are rated for a BTU output that they never utilize. Most GE gas dryers, for example, are rated for 22,000 BTU per hour, but because the heat goes on and off during a drying cycle, they may only use half that amount over a typical cycle. With natural gas rates averaging just above one dollar per 100,000 BTU, the cost per load in a gas dryer is typically much lower than in an electric dryer, frequently by a factor of? Keep in mind that gas isn’t the only cost of operation; the motor and fan need electricity as well.
Which Dryer is right for your home?
If your home already has natural gas hookups in the laundry room, a gas dryer will often save you energy and money in the long term. This is due in part to the relatively low and consistent price of natural gas in most locations; but, if you reside in an area where natural gas costs are especially high, this may not be true for you. If your property doesn’t already have a natural gas connection, undergoing a pricey natural gas conversion simply to dry with gas is probably not cost-effective.
How Much Electricity Does a Dryer Use Per Load?
If you have an electric dryer and know how many watts it uses, you may estimate your cost per load using the following formula:
- Check the wattage of your dryer. This information can be found on the “UL” label on your dryer. You may also seek for the wattage on a manufacturer or retailer website using the product number from your dryer’s original literature or by searching online using the product number.
- Calculate how long a normal drying cycle will take. Due to differences in dryer size and heat output, some dryers may take 45 minutes to an hour and a half to dry a load, while others may take an hour and a half.
- Multiply the cycle length as a percentage of one hour by the wattage of the dryer. For example, if your drying cycle lasts 45 minutes, you’ve saved.75 of an hour. With a 5,000-watt dryer, you’ll be able to. 3,750 watts = 75 x 5,000 watts
- To convert wattage to kilowatt-hours, double the preceding step’s wattage by 1,000. 3.750 watts divided by 1,000 equals 3.75 kilowatt-hours in the example above.
- Multiply the kilowatt-hours by the last power bill’s kWh rate. .12 x 3.75 kWh =.45, or 45 cents per load, if your rate is 12 cents per kWh.
How to Reduce Your Dryer’s Energy Consumption
After calculating the cost per load to use your dryer, are you feeling a little sticker shock? There are a few options available to you.
If you’re in the market for a new dryer anyway, start by looking for one that uses less energy. When shopping online or in stores, look for the ENERGY STAR badge and study the black and yellow ENERGY GUIDE labels. Also, look for a machine that has a moisture sensors that stops the cycle when the clothes are dry. Take a few minutes to learn about how much energy washing machines consume and how to choose an efficient model if you’ll be changing your washer as well.
- When possible, hang your clothing to dry. Lack of outside space is frequently the biggest barrier to hang-drying for apartment residents, although there are foldable drying racks that can handle roughly a half load of laundry each. Remember that drying clothes indoors adds a little humidity, so it’s not a smart idea in places where wetness is already an issue.
- After each load, clean the lint trap. This helps keep your dryer functioning smoothly and prevents fires.
- Don’t fill the dryer too much. The load will take much longer to dry if there isn’t enough room for warm air to pass through the clothing while they tumble.
- Multiple loads can be dried in a row. You’ll preserve the residual heat from the previous cycle and help the following load dry faster if you start a fresh load as soon as the previous one is finished.
- Similar objects should be dried together. T-shirts and boxer shorts dry faster than towels and warm socks since they are made of light fibers. You can avoid overdrying by drying loads of equal thicknesses.
- When it’s cheapest, do your laundry. If your power provider offers time-of-day pricing, free energy weekends, or other comparable pricing perks, reserve your laundry for when rates are lowest.
Is it true that washers consume a lot of electricity?
Washers use 400 to 1,400 watts of electricity on average, though this varies greatly depending on the model. Using the washing machine three times each week consumes approximately 140.4 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. A month’s worth of washing costs $1.66, while a year’s worth of washing costs $19.92.
What in a house consumes the most electricity?
The breakdown of energy use in a typical home is depicted in today’s infographic from Connect4Climate.
It displays the average annual cost of various appliances as well as the appliances that consume the most energy over the course of the year.
Modern convenience comes at a cost, and keeping all those air conditioners, freezers, chargers, and water heaters running is the third-largest energy demand in the US.
One of the simplest ways to save energy and money is to eliminate waste. Turn off “vampire electronics,” or devices that continue to draw power even when switched off. DVRs, laptop computers, printers, DVD players, central heating furnaces, routers and modems, phones, gaming consoles, televisions, and microwaves are all examples.
A penny saved is a cent earned, and being more energy efficient is excellent for both your wallet and the environment, as Warren Buffett would undoubtedly agree.
For an hour, how much does it cost to use a dryer?
Hanging the washing out in the sun is not an option when you live in a country known for rain and unpredictable weather. That’s why, in many houses, a tumble dryer is the symbol of achievement.
Tumble dryers are useful, practical, and convenient. They eliminate the frustration of waiting days for your favorite pair of jeans to dry properly, only to try them on and discover they are damp.
However, despite the warmth both physically and metaphorically that a tumble dryer brings to a home, the prospective cost of using one on a regular basis may dampen emotions. How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer, and what can you do to cut costs? Continue reading to discover out…
The average tumble dryer uses about 4.5 kWh every cycle, according to the Energy Saving Trust. According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the average cost of electricity in the UK in 2020 will be 17.2p per kWh.
Many experts, however, believe that there are too many variables to accurately predict how much a tumble dryer would cost to operate. The energy expenses will be affected by factors like as how often you use it, where you keep it in your home, and the kind of garments and load sizes you’re drying.
Energy ratings range from ‘A’ to ‘G,’ with ‘A’ being the highest and ‘G’ being the lowest. The most energy efficient are given a ‘A’ rating, while the least efficient are given a ‘G’ rating. The greater the Energy Rating of your dryer, the less it will cost to operate.
First and first, overloading your dryer is not the answer. A loaded dryer is more likely to break or have problems, necessitating more frequent repairs. Tumble drying a couple of t-shirts or a pair of socks, on the other hand, isn’t the most efficient way to keep your expenditures down.
On a frigid morning, you might crave toasty feet, but there are other methods to keep your home winter-ready without turning on the tumble dryer.
Many individuals are unaware that the location of their tumble dryer has an impact on its performance. When you store your dryer in a warm area of your home, it will use less energy to heat the air to the required temperatures, lowering your energy expenses.
Because garments dry at varying rates depending on the material, washing and drying clothes of the same material could have an impact on total energy output. You can run shorter cycles and avoid damper clothing ruining your fast-drying goods by putting materials that dry at the same time together.
A properly fitted and maintained dryer, like any other appliance, will always be the most efficient since flaws and difficulties may be identified before they become a greater problem.
Tell us about your tumble dryer and we’ll see whether we can provide you with protection, maintenance, and support right away.
How much does it cost to wash a load of clothes?
Washing machines are large, cumbersome appliances that can run continuously for several hours. This may cause you to be concerned about your electrical bills. So, to take a burden off our minds (laundry pun! ), let’s look at the cost of power for each load, month, and year that a washing machine is in use.
In the United States, a basic washing machine costs 17 cents each load, $4.28 per month, and $51.35 per year.
A basic washing machine in the United Kingdom costs 22p (29c) per wash, 5.60 ($7.24) per month, and 67.18 ($86.90) per year to run.
Continue reading to see how much it costs to run a washing machine in 24 different nations, where the United States ranks in terms of power expenses, and how to save money on your washing machine with six simple tips.
