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New 2025 data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows Americans are paying 22% more for electricity than they were just five years ago.
Most of us go about our days without considering how much electricity our homes use. Maybe we'll think about turning the lights off when we leave the room. Appliances and electronics use significant electricity, and making small adjustments to your habits can save you money around your home.
Here are nine appliances and electronics and just how much of your electric bill they are each responsible for. Being conscious of them could help you avoid wasting money.
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Air conditioner
Air conditioning is perhaps the biggest culprit causing your electricity bill to rise rapidly.
Heating and cooling are responsible for just over half of your home's energy usage, and something as simple as moving your thermostat up one degree can save roughly 3% on your monthly electricity bill.
Water heater
All those hot showers add up. Your water heater could use up to 18% of your home's energy usage. To reduce its consumption, consider setting the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, making sure the hot water pipes are insulated, and installing water-conserving shower heads.
Lighting
LED light bulbs have changed the game in lighting energy efficiency, but turning on your lights still accounts for roughly 10% of your monthly electric bill. This goes back to the old adage to turn off the lights when you leave a room. It makes an impact.
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Refrigerator
It shouldn't be a surprise that your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy consumers, considering that it's one of the appliances running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Generally, it uses about 7% of your home's energy. To reduce that number, keep your refrigerator coils clean, don't overfill the fridge, and keep the most-used items in a convenient spot to reduce time spent with open doors.
Washer and dryer
Getting your clothes clean doesn't come cheap. Your washer and dryer use approximately 5% of your home's energy consumption. To reduce that number, wash your clothes on cold and use a drying rack whenever possible.
Running your washer and dryer at night, typically between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., can also cost you less than using them during peak hours, so you can save money.
Electric oven
It may be hard to reduce your energy usage when cooking, but your electric oven accounts for 3% of your monthly household electricity bill. It's not a huge amount, but you don't want to waste more electricity than necessary.
Plus, running the oven in the summer can cause your air conditioner to work even harder, so break out the grill or air fryer once in a while.
Dishwasher
While a dishwasher only accounts for 2% of your electricity bill in a given month, that doesn't mean it can't be reduced. To save energy, run full loads and turn off the heat cycle. This can save you a few dollars a month, which can help you keep more cash in your wallet over time.
TV and media
Your TV seems like it shouldn't use much energy, right? But it might surprise you that it uses the same amount (2%) as the dishwasher. Many TVs run in standby mode when you're not using them. Unplug it completely to save energy.
Computers
For as much time as you spend on your computer, it's a relief to know that it only counts for roughly 1% of your home's energy usage.
Still, be mindful of when you leave your computer on or open, and make sure your settings put the computer to sleep after an hour or so of inactivity.
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Bottom line
Appliances and electronics are the creature comforts that make modern living more comfortable, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't experiment with areas to cut your usage and help increase your financial fitness.
Making an effort to use less electricity is good for your electricity bill and the environment. And if you want to go all in on reducing your electricity bill, consider solar panels. Over time, you could reduce your bill to zero.
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- 14 moves seniors could benefit from but often forget about.
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