Home Appliances That Increase Your Power Bill When You’re Not Using Them

High energy bills got you down? Or just thinking about ways to trim your budget?

Did you know that some home appliances contribute to your power bill – EVEN when you’re not using them?

It’s no surprise that appliances use a significant amount of power to do their jobs. What we might take for granted, however, is that some appliances still use power when we’re not even thinking about them.

Meet Standby Power

Standby power is used by our appliances that have remote capabilities. They stay on so they can begin working when they receive a signal.

More and more appliances come with this technology.

This is what makes it possible to begin washing cycles from our smartphones or put our coffee makers on a timed schedule.

While standby power is minimal, so many devices and appliances at once can add up when we get our monthly bills.

Here are just a few appliances that can noticeably increase your power bill even when you’re not using them.

Appliances with Digital Displays

Appliances that have tiny digital displays will consistently use power just to show you the time. Microwaves and coffee makers are just a couple examples of appliances that use power when you’re not warming up food or a morning pick-me-up.

Many have clocks that will tell the time from their bright LEDs. Some can be started with a push of a button from a remote or fob, which means it stays on so it can communicate with other devices.

Washers & Dryers

Our cleaning appliances understandably use quite a bit of power while in use. However, these new technologically advanced appliances come with a few energy-sucking pitfalls.

Some newer washers and dryer models are equipped with soft-touch keypads, which fall under the stand-by umbrella. They are ready to receive a touch signal at any time to indicate that it’s time to work.

Some even come with network capabilities that allow you to remotely begin wash or dry cycles.

Air Conditioner & Electric Furnace

Air conditioners and furnaces are easily some of the biggest energy vampires. People living in harsh climates appreciate the relief of cooler or warmer air once they enter their homes.

It can be easy to forget how much this luxury costs us until we receive the energy bill!

These appliances use up an incredible 3,000 to 13,000 watts of electricity on average per hour. When you forget to turn them off before you leave the house, they could be constantly running. When the sun is at its highest during the day, the AC fights for its life to keep your house cool.

Tips for Decreasing Your Power Bill

The answer for curtailing your excessive power costs due to idle appliances may be obvious.

Tip #1 – Unplugging or otherwise cutting the power to these appliances when they’re not being used is a great place to start.

Tip #2 – For air conditioners and furnaces, you can shut the systems off when nobody is home to use them. During other times of the day, it helps to close off unoccupied areas of the house and raise the temperature accordingly. 

Tip #3 – Idle power usage adds up. Your wallet will thank you for paying attention to the little things that take up power for seemingly no reason at all.

One Last Time for Protecting Your Budget

Managing your home’s electricity usage is a smart way to keep an eye on your budget.

But an even better way is having an easy, affordable home warranty. Home warranties protect you from unexpected repair and replacement costs from your home’s major systems ranging from kitchen appliances to central air conditioning and even pool equipment if you choose. Don’t let a broken appliance ruin your hard work on your budget. Get a free quote on a home warranty today!