Your refigerator draws power constantly.
Energy Federation Incorporated reports that as of 2011, the average U.S. household spends $1,400 a year on utility bills. All of the appliances that make our lives easier, such as dishwashers, clothes washers and refrigerators, spike our utility bills. How much energy an appliance uses depends on its power rating. The EnergyGuide label shows estimated energy usage to help consumers shop smarter when purchasing new appliances. If you're not looking for a new appliance, you can still estimate the usage of your current one.
Power Ratings and Daily Consumption
The power rating shows the amount of power an appliance will use in watts. Most manufacturers list the power rating of an appliance on the back of the device or near the nameplate on the front. To use the power rating to determine how much energy an appliance consumes a day, use this formula: wattage multiplied by hours used per day divided by 1000. Many appliances, such as refrigerators, coffee pots and toasters, continue to draw energy when not in use. This energy, known as vampire energy, adds a small amount to your daily usage.
Energy Ratings
The majority of household appliances, with the exception of stoves, clothes dryers, dehumidifiers and humidifiers, come with an EnergyGuide label. The label has four sections. The first shows you the features of the appliance, such as an ice maker installed in a refrigerator. The second section lists the make and model number. The third shows you what the appliance may cost to run per year compared to other similar models. The fourth gives you an estimate of the energy use per year.
Energy Efficient Models
Household appliances with the highest energy efficiency receive the Energy Star label. Energy Star products can reduce your utility usage by up to 30 percent a year, according to Energy Federation Inc. The Environmental Protection Agency tests the energy output of every appliance with the Energy Star label. These appliances must also have the features desired by most consumers. Approved appliances carry an Energy Star seal on their EnergyGuide label.
Warnings
The EnergyGuide label only shows an estimate of the energy usage for the appliance. Your energy usage may run higher depending on where you live. Some areas have a higher cost for electricity and gas than others. How you use the appliance may also increase how much energy the appliance consumes. For example, using the heat dry setting on a dishwasher will use more energy than the air dry setting.
Related posts
A windmill can be used as an electrical power generatorYou can supply power for a number of appliances with a 6,500-watt generator. However, you will not only have to consider the rated power of y...
Energy Star appliances are the most efficient.Saving on energy costs is very important for everyone these days. If you're looking for ways to cut your electric bill, energy-efficient appliances ar...
An oven can be sold used if it's in working order.You may want to sell your household appliances after remodeling your kitchen or another room. If the appliances no longer match the room but are f...
Purchasing new appliances can be exciting and frustrating. Focus attention on your top picks by using a rating system that will identify your needs, the necessary features of various models, the a...
The dishwasher ranks as one of the shortest-lived appliances on average.That old refrigerator in the basement may still be chugging away after three decades, and yet the year-old washing machine i...
