1. Fridges

The fridge is one of those appliances that you unfortunately have no choice but to run 24/7, which is why getting the right size and efficiency for your requirements can make all the difference to your energy bill. For instance, purchasing a fridge that is too big will see the generation of extra electricity to power unused space. While one that’s too small may see you utilising other spaces (such as that extra fridge in the garage) for storage, which could be adding extra unnecessary dollars to your power bill.

Placement and settings can also play a helpful role in saving energy when it comes to fridges. Keeping fridges in cool spots or adjusting the temperature settings may help to save electricity in the long run.

2. Oven*

Though used far less often than the trusty household fridge, ovens can prove a sneaky power-drainer depending on its fuel type, size and of course usage. Particularly if you are a household that regularly uses the oven for extended periods of time, it’s important to understand how this may be impacting your energy bill. For example, whether you are using electricity or natural gas to power your oven may play a significant role in how much your usage will cost you. Settings and controls can also impact your usage amounts.

No matter the oven you choose however, to ensure greater energy efficiency it may help to use pots with lids when heating up liquids or food, and to make sure the oven door is kept closed as much possible.

3. Washing Machine

As with refrigerators, how much energy it will cost to run a washing machine will come down to what size machine you choose. Picking the right size washing machine for your needs is an important initial step in achieving energy savings. Using a cold wash option is preferable, while loading the machine fully each time will save on the extra cost of putting another load on.

Energy efficiency can also vary wildly for washing machines, mainly based on if you have a top loader or front loader model. This might be something worth considering the next time you are in the market to buy a new washing machine for your home.

4. Clothes Dryer

When it comes to drying clothes, drying on a rack or the line is the preferred option as dryers are one of the more notorious energy-drainers. Of course, how much energy your clothes dryer will cost you comes down entirely to usage habits. A helpful tip though is to not over-fill the dryer as this will slow down the drying process and lead to greater energy usage. If you’re on a peak/off-peak electricity plan, the opportunity also exists to cut down costs by scheduling washing and drying during off-peak electricity hours.

Energy use can vary wildly depending on what type of dryer you have; not all are equal! So be sure to research which may be best for your household next time you are in the market for a new dryer.

5. Air Conditioner*

Air conditioners are again one of the more notorious appliances for their energy-draining qualities. You might have one in your bedroom, but they’re also commonly found in the lounge room to prevent you sweating through the latest horror movie. One of the more popular types of air conditioner is the split-system air conditioner, which is generally more energy-efficient than other types of air conditioning, but they can still be a big energy-drainer.

Keeping an eye on the temperature and settings may help to reduce some of the costs associated with using your air conditioner, particularly during those warmer months. Setting a timer for usage and keeping doors and windows closed to isolate the cooling to a smaller surface area may also help to keep costs to a minimum.

6. Home Entertainment

While individually devices that fall under ‘home entertainment’ may be fairly innocuous when it comes to your energy bill, together they work as a team to drive up energy use. Adding to that, these devices are also typically left on at least standby 24 hours a day, and see significant usage in peak times. That being said, it could be surprising just how much energy leaving your appliances on standby could cost you.

Undoubtedly, the biggest energy-drainer in home entertainment however is the television. This also varies depending on if you have plasma or an LED/LCD television, but no matter what, it can pay to monitor the humble TV’s energy consumption.

Since televisions are one of the biggest energy consumers, when making a purchase, you should opt for the more energy efficient option amongst your preferred display technology. Apart from that you can also save energy by turning appliances off at the power outlet when they are not in use. They can still consume energy when in standby mode, potentially making up a significant percentage of household energy use.