Did you know that home appliances use up a big portion of our daily electricity use? Many households would like to reduce their monthly utility bills. Upgrading home appliances is a great place to start.
Reducing electricity consumption is not just about saving money. It also helps us do our part in helping the environment. Switching to more energy-efficient appliances is an investment that will soon pay for itself.
Continue reading to find out more about incentives that can help with the cost.
The Biggest Culprit
The biggest culprit may not come as a surprise. The appliance that uses the most electricity in households is the water heater. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a water heater uses 2400 kWh. These figures are for families of two. Appliances that require hot water cost even more money to run. Such as the dishwasher and clothes washer.
You may find it beneficial to upgrade your water heater. Make the switch to a more energy-efficient model. You may even want to consider a tankless model.
Home Appliance Energy Consumption Rates
The U.S. Department of Energy has created a breakdown on appliance usage. See below for details of how much electricity major appliances use. However, this breakdown assumed households have new models. Newer models run much more energy-efficient than older models do. For example, if your appliance is 10-15 years old, then these figures would be worse.
For the average family of two, here are some details on how much electric some major home appliances use:
The water heater uses 2400 kWh. Next in line, clothes dryers use 1000 kWh. Refrigerators coming in a close second with 600 kWh. Lastly, dishwashers use 300 kWh and clothes washers use around the same at 200 kWh.
As you can see, the water heater and clothes dryers are the biggest culprits.
Energy Tip – Before you purchase or upgrade to a newer model of appliance, always check the energy star rating. This rating provides an insight into how energy-efficient it is. The rating should be used as a guide when considering a purchase.
Incentives and Money Saving Methods
Are you aware that you may be able to get some money back when you purchase appliances? When you start actively reducing your energy usage, the state and federal government offers incentives.
But how does this work? When you purchase an energy-efficient appliance you may able to get part of the cost refunded. In addition, you may be able to get back any installation fees. To do this, use IRS form 5695 on your federal tax return.
Additionally, you may get a discount or money back for upgrading an appliance. Not all utility providers offer this incentive, but some do. It is worth checking with your provider if they offer this incentive.
Let us at A DiChristopher Appliance Service help advise you. We can help you make your home more energy efficient. With a few changes and upgrades to your appliances, we can achieve a low-cost home for you. Schedule an appointment with us today, to discuss your options with one of our professional technicians.