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How Much Electricity Do Appliances Use? How To Measure Electricity Usage for Energy Cost Savings

Appliances and other electronics contribute to rising utility costs, but property owners can cut and control these expenses with proper management and investment. The key to managing expenses is learning about energy consumption. How much electricity do appliances use on your property?

Breaking down consumption patterns lets property owners assess kilowatt-hours and annual expenses of individual appliances, allowing comparisons between devices for cost-saving. Learn the tools and formulas for energy assessments and ways to reduce costs.

How Much Electricity Do Appliances Use?

EnergyGuide Labels

The federal government requires many appliances to display an EnergyGuide Label. The sticker is yellow with black lettering, and it helps property owners assess the appliance’s energy efficiency and consumption patterns or daily and annual costs.

The primary information on the manufacturer-provided label includes the make, model, and size of the appliance and the estimated yearly costs and electricity consumption for average use. The numbers are not precisely accurate for individual use but offer a fair estimate, allowing property owners to compare manufacturers and products.

Unfortunately, the label does not specify whether the appliance in question is the most efficient in the market. Still, it will possess an Energy Star® logo if the device meets energy efficiency guidelines. Also, because most appliances have these labels, property owners can compare different makers in stores and online to find the most efficient model.

Usage Monitors

You may want more precise information when looking at how much electricity your appliances actually use, in which case the EnergyGuide label is insufficient. An electricity usage monitor can provide a precise accounting of an appliance’s electricity usage. These devices cost between $25 and $50 and can determine the usage for any appliance running on 120v.

The monitor plugs into a standard 120v outlet and has a receptacle to receive the appliance plug. The monitor will measure the electrical usage when the appliance is on. To learn how many kWhs the machine uses, leave it plugged into the monitor for an hour, a day, a week, or longer.

The monitor will also help property owners measure the phantom loads in a property. Many appliances can continue drawing in electricity for standby power despite being turned off or shut down. While phantom loads do not increase electricity usage by much, they can increase watt-hours by a few or more.

Property owners can install a whole-house monitor for a more complete assessment of energy use, including 240v appliances. The features and complexity of these devices vary, and the installation costs depend on how many circuits need monitoring. That said, a whole-property system offers greater depth into electricity use.

Calculations

Learning how much electricity certain appliances use does not necessarily require a monitoring system. A property owner can still get a relatively accurate answer to the question by using an online calculator or basic formulas.

To figure out daily energy consumption, annual energy consumption, and the annual cost of running an appliance, a property owner only needs the wattage and hours used. An appliance usually has a nameplate with wattage information or the power the machine draws.

If the manufacturer neglected to include the wattage on the appliance, multiply the amperage by the voltage. For example, for a dryer that uses 20 amps and connects to a 240v outlet, its wattage is 4,800w.

Figuring out the hours used is straightforward. Property owners can either use an estimate or keep a log to track usage.

With the wattage and hours in mind, a property owner can determine energy consumption and costs using three formulas. For daily energy consumption, use the following equation:

(Wattage x Hours Used)/1,000 = Daily kWh Consumption

Property owners can then take the solution and multiply it by 365 to learn how much electricity their appliances use in a year. Finally, with that solution, property owners can find the estimated annual appliance energy cost using the following equation:

Annual Energy Consumption x Utility rate per kWh = Annual Cost

How Can Property Owners Improve Electricity Savings?

Upgrades With Significant Impacts

Whether managing a portfolio of residential or commercial properties, property managers can improve their properties’ energy usage with system upgrades. While some improvements and upgrades cost more than others, almost all are cost-effective in the long term. Still, managers should prioritize any changes.

First, an owner must assess the current structure and elements of a property. Is the insulation adequate? Are the windows Energy Star® rated? Improving the facility to limit air leaks can reduce heating and cooling costs. Also, managers may consider upgrading from traditional hot water tanks to electric water heaters for more efficiency.

Second, it is necessary to consider ways of improving electricity use for the entire property. Solar energy can significantly reduce electricity costs and the strain on the NYC grid. While solar panel installation is costly, it usually pays for itself after a few years. More affordable and immediate changes include replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs and using advanced power strips designed to reduce phantom loads.

Finally, install smart tech, such as smart meters, and energy-efficient appliances. Smart technology allows property owners and renters to precisely control the operation of appliances and other major systems, like HVAC, significantly reducing costs and demands on the devices.

Purchasing energy-efficient appliances, specifically Energy Star® certified ones, saves electricity and money. Also, certified appliances help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is something all NYC property owners need to consider, especially with Local Law 97.

Ready To Cut Back On Electricity Usage – and Energy Costs?

Bolt Electric and System Upgrades

Property managers asking about how much electricity appliances use often imply a need to improve energy efficiency throughout a facility. While upgrading to Energy Star^© products will help reduce electricity costs, to see dramatic improvements, a property owner must consider the structure and systems of the property.

Bolt Electric can help property managers assess their buildings and determine appropriate upgrades to lessen utility burdens. Call us at 212-434-0098 to schedule a property assessment with our team.