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How Much Energy Do Appliances Use?

Some household appliances have a bigger appetite for energy than others, and it's helpful to identify the major culprits. By monitoring what appliances are on at any given time and keeping an eye on your electric meter, you can track changes in your household's energy usage. More information on how to read your electric meter.

 Air-Conditioning Set at 78º
 Does not operate continuously; cycles on and off as called for by the thermostat
 Central Air
  800 sq. ft. $1.50 per day
1200 sq. ft. $2.24 per day
1600 sq. ft. $3.01 per day
2000 sq. ft. $3.75 per day
 Room Air Unit
1 ton, 12,000 BTU $1.17 per day
2 ton, 24,000 BTU $2.33 per day
 Electric Heating Set at 70º
 Does not operate continuously; cycles on and off as called for by the thermostat
 Electric Resistance
  800 sq. ft. $1.50 per day
1200 sq. ft. $2.50 per day
1600 sq. ft. $3.32 per day
2000 sq. ft. $4.16 per day
 Electric Heat Pump
  800 sq. ft. 64¢ per day
1200 sq. ft. $1.25 per day
1600 sq. ft. $1.67 per day
2000 sq. ft. $2.08 per day
Portable electric heater 11¢ per hour
 Electric Water Heater
 Does not include water used for dishwashing or clothes washing
 Electric Resistance
Family of two 50¢ per day
Each additional person 16¢ per day
 Water Heating Heat Pump
Family of two 24.5¢ per day
Each additional person 8¢ per day
 Refrigeration
 Does not operate continuously; cycles on and off as called for by the thermostat
 Freezer
16 cu. ft., manual defrost 24¢ per day
16 cu. ft., automatic defrost 30¢ per day
 Refrigerator/Freezer
18 cu. ft., automatic defrost 45¢ per day
24 cu. ft., automatic defrost 62¢ per day
 Kitchen Appliances
Coffee maker, brew cycle 1¢ per cycle
Coffee maker, warming .5¢ per hour
Deep fat fryer 5.5¢ per hour
Food mixer 1¢ per hour
Frying pan 6.5¢ per hour
Oven self-cleaning cycle 23.5¢ per cleaning
Range-top burner 7.5¢ per hour
Toaster 7.5¢ per hour
 Cleaning & Laundry
Dishwasher, including hot water costs 23.5¢ per load
Iron 5.5¢ per hour
Vacuum cleaner 5.5¢ per hour
Clothes dryer 50¢ per hour
 Clothes Washer, including water heating costs
Hot wash/hot rinse 43¢ per load
Warm wash/cold rinse 10¢ per load
Cold wash/cold rinse 3¢ per load
 Small Appliances
Clock 11.25¢ per month
Dehumidifier 4¢ per hour
Hair dryer 7.5¢ per hour
Portable or ceiling fan .5¢ per hour
Pool or lawn pump (.5hp) 5¢ per hour
 Entertainment
Home computer .5¢ per hour
Radio .5¢ per hour
Cassette or CD player 1¢ per hour
Color television 2¢ per hour
VCR, not including cost of running tv 2.75¢ per 10 hours