Energy Usage Costs In Your Home

Refinancing your home may save you big money each month, but there are lots of other little things you can do to reduce your household expenses.

Lighting, refrigerators, heating and cooling are the biggest "energy hogs" in a typical California home. Most households are still using inefficient incandescent light bulbs and are hanging onto refrigerators and air conditioners that are more than 10 years old.

Not to be taken lightly are televisions, computers, office equipment and other small electronics and appliances — these are adding up to nearly one-third of a home's electricity consumption. Many of these items continue to use energy even when they have been turned off. This energy consumption has been dubbed "standby" power, and the cost to run these items can add up: Each year, Americans spend roughly $1 billion to $2 billion in energy costs on standby power alone.

Cooling Equipment
Central Air Conditioner (3-ton)	$.48 - $.66 per hour
Fan	$.01 - $.07 per hour
Room/Window Air Conditioner	$.09 - $.28 per hour
Heating Equipment
Electric Baseboard or Electric Central Heater Small Homes	$35 - $110 or more per month
Electric Baseboard or Electric Central Heater Large Homes (2000 sq ft or more)	$114 - $400 or more per month
Gas Furnace Small Homes	$16 - $40 or more per mo
Gas Furnace Large Homes (2,000 sq. ft. or more)	$41 - $200 or more per month
Cooking Appliances
Electric Oven	$.30 - $.60 per hour
Electric Range-top Burner	$.07 - $.30 per hour
Gas Oven	$.05 - $.11 per hour
Gas Range-top Burner	$.04 - $.08 per hour
Microwave Oven	$.01 - $.03 per 10 min
Household Appliances
Incandescent Light Bulb, 100 watts	$.01 per hour
Equivalent Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), 27 watts	$.01 per 4 hours
Clothes Washer (cold wash - cold rinse)	$.03 per load
Clothes Washer (hot wash - warm rinse)	$.23 per load
Clothes Dryer Electric	$.30 - $.60 per load
Clothes Dryer Gas	$.10 - $.16 per load
Color Television	$.01 - $.05 per hour
Dishwasher	$.08 - $.09 per load
Freezer	$15.00 - $30.00 or more per mo
Hair Dryer	$.01 per 5-minute use
Personal Computer	$.01 - $.02 per hour
Stereo System	$.01 - $.03 per hour
Refrigerator (Frost-free), 16 cu ft	$10.00 - $18.00 per month
Water Heater Electric	$20.00 - $70.00 per month
Water Heater Gas	$7.00 - $19.00 per month
Vacuum Cleaner	$.05 - $.09 per hour

Source: "The Big Picture — A Step-by-Step California Guide to Smarter Home Energy Use," distributed statewide in English, Spanish and Chinese by all four California Investor-Owned Utilities.

More information: Flex Your Power