Almost every household has appliances that use a lot of electricity. Often, these aren’t noticed until the first high electricity bill arrives. By then, it’s too late to do much about it. By thoroughly analyzing their electricity usage and the appliances they own, consumers can identify their energy-guzzlers and take appropriate action. This way, households can look forward to their next bill with much greater peace of mind.
In times of rising energy prices, consumers want to do their part for the environment and to lower their electricity bills. Accordingly, the following section lists the biggest electricity consumers in the home. It also includes some interesting observations regarding various trends in electricity consumption.
The Never-Ending Battle of the Sexes—Energy Plays a Role, Too
Men and women have different views when it comes to technology and electricity. This insight is not new, but it is evolving in an unexpected direction. If women accuse their husbands of not caring about electricity consumption, they should be cautious about this assumption. This chart shows that electricity consumption differs between the sexes not in terms of quantity, but in terms of usage patterns. Men traditionally invest heavily in audio equipment and TVs. In contrast, most single women have significantly larger TVs than a comparable male-headed household.
Men use electricity over a longer period of time than women. They play video games longer and also spend more time watching TV. Women, on the other hand, need many small appliances for their daily grooming routines. These, in turn, also consume electricity. No matter how you look at it—all in all, the energy balance between the two genders is likely to be even. Saving electricity is a shared responsibility. One simple method is to use power strips with a switch. These cut off the power supply even for devices in standby mode.
A common problem is outdated large appliances. Kitchens, in particular, often contain old refrigerators and ovens. These do not yet have an energy efficiency certificate, as is required today. Behind these appliances—which may still work but are old—often lie true energy guzzlers. Washing machines and dryers consume a large amount of electricity over the course of a year. If consumers fill the machines to capacity, energy consumption is reduced over the course of the year. Fewer wash cycles are needed. Another way to save electricity is through the efficient use of lighting. String lights consume less energy than multiple mood lights. Furthermore, it’s never necessary to have all the lights on at once. Turning them off when leaving a room saves energy and, in the long run, saves money.
