Friday, October 10, 2008

How to Estimate Home Appliance Energy Use

There's a very simple way to figure out how much energy your home appliances are using. I'm not a math genius, and I can

accurately determine how much energy each appliance in my home is using.

The formula is:

(Wattage × Hours Used Per Day ÷ 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption(1 kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 Watts)

Determine the annual energy consumption by estimating how many days per year you use the appliance. Then, you can figure the annual cost by multiplying the kWh by using your local utility's kWh rate.

Here's an example of something you may use frequently - a personal computer and monitor.

(120 + 150 Watts × 4 hours/day × 365 days/year) ÷ 1000 = 394 kWh × 8.5 cents/kWh = $33.51/year

Adjust the numbers to what you use. If you don't know the exact figures, make an estimate.

Many appliances have the wattage stamped somewhere on the unit itself. It may be on a metal plate along with the
manufacturer's serial number. If you can't find the wattage, you may find the amount of amps the unit consumes. If you find the amp consumption, multiply it by the voltage used by the appliance. For most household items, it's 120 volts.

However, your electric stove and dryer are usually rated at 240 volts.

Beware of a condition known as "phantom load." This is when appliances continue to use electricity even when they're turned
off. Some common examples are your VCR, TV, stereo, computer, and many kitchen appliances.

You can prevent phantom load by either unplugging the appliance from the wall socket, or you can plug it into a power strip.

Turn off the power strip when you're done using the appliance. This will save some money on your energy bill every year.

Here's some typical wattage ratings for common household appliances:

Coffee maker = 900–1200

Clothes washer = 350–500

Clothes dryer = 1800–5000

Dishwasher = 1200–2400 (using the drying feature greatly increases energy consumption)

Clothes iron = 1000–1800

Microwave oven = 750–1100

Radio (stereo) = 70–400

Refrigerator (frost-free, 16 cubic feet) = 725

Televisions (color)

o 19" = 65–110

o 27" = 113

o 36" = 133

o 53"-61" Projection = 170

o Flat screen = 120

VCR/DVD = 17–21 / 20–25

Vacuum cleaner = 1000–1440

Water heater (40 gallon) = 4500–5500

Now that you know how to calculate energy consumption of common appliances in your home, it's easier to figure out which ones you want to keep turned off as much as possible to save energy.

6 comments:

laundry_man said...

A spin dryer is also an excellent alternative to the tumble dryer for those
who wish to reduced their carbon footprint. They are not well-known in the
USA, but spin dryers use about 1/100th of the energy that a tumble dryer does,
and are gentler on the clothes. Line drying is the best of all of course, but
in many cases it's not allowed, the weather can be rainy, too damp, etc. You
can read more about spin dryers at http://www.laundry-alternative.com/drying.htm.

Anonymous said...

Electricity meaning amber, and finally from New Latin Ä“lectricus, "amber-like") is a general term that encompasses a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena such as lightning and static electricity, but in addition, less familiar concepts such as the electromagnetic field and electromagnetic induction.
Utah electrician

TIMEX METALS said...

Well written! Please visit Stainless Steel wire rod manufacturer.

Ridhiman Alloys said...

 Thanks for sharing this valuable information to our vision. and it's a lovely aritcale you can also visit here Ridhiman Alloys and here Forbes Marshall Valves

Tyaani said...

Heyy great blog! Please check out our Polki Rings and Polki Pendants, from our Polki jewellery collection.

Trisha Electrical said...

Thanks for this. I really like what you've posted here and wish you the best of luck with this blog and thanks for sharing.Gel Earthing Electrode Supplier,Earth Pit Chamber Cover Manufacturers

Add to Technorati Favorites