Household appliances and energy usage

According to the Department of the Environment and Energy, Australian households have several appliances and equipment that account for about one-third of household energy use. In fact, refrigerators, washing machines, television, electric stoves, and clothes dryers are typically the highest individual electricity users amounting to 60 per cent of the monthly electricity bill.

When it comes to gas, the total consumption of an average household in Brisbane is about 10,892 MJ, which is quite relative based on the individual usage of hot and cold showers, gas stove, gas dryers, and other natural gas heaters in the home.

How your appliances contribute to your energy usage and bills
When you noticed your electric bill goes up month after month, the typical reaction is to check which appliances contribute the most to your energy usage, so it is essential for you to know the energy required to run each appliance, which is often expressed in kilowatt per hour (KwH).

Here is the typical consumption of various appliances in your house:

• Air conditioner – Around 600 to 2000 watts per hour
• Clothes dryer – 4000 watts consumption per hour
• Refrigerator – 1000 watts consumption per hour
• Flat iron – 800 – 2000 watts consumption per hour
• Television – 80 to 400 watts consumption per hour
• Washing machine – Around 400 to 1300 watts per hour

How to use your appliances more efficiently
Here are several tips you can consider to cut down on your monthly power consumption and these will include the following:

• Washing machines are considered lifesaver for busy Australians, but they are one of the most significant contributors to energy bill, which sometimes amount to 7% of your monthly energy consumption. To save energy, you can always go for the maximum allowable load in your washer rather than running a load with only a handful of things. You should also run your washer in the shortest cycle possible.
• For air conditioners, you can set the thermostat to 25 degrees Celsius, and it’s the ideal setting for small to medium-sized room. You can also use the electric fan to help spread the cool air faster in the area.
• If you really need to use the dryer, make sure you dry at full capacity to maximize its use. You should also put similar clothes together, so it will only take the same amount of time to dry them.
• The fridge is another major power contributor to your electric bill, so it’s essential to find the best location to place it. Usually, it’s placed away from the stove and avoid direct sunlight. You also need to always close the door without delay to prevent the cold air from escaping inside the fridge; this will compel the machine to use more energy to compensate for the temperature outside.

Overall, when you’re buying a new appliance for your home, it is essential to check its energy star rating first before purchasing it. The higher the energy star rating, the more power-efficient it can be. You should also maintain your appliances to keep it in its full working capacity. We recommend you hire a reputable appliance repair provider like QLD Washers to maintain your washing machines and dryers.