How to Save Energy on Appliances and Electronics

Tips for Your Home

How to Save Energy on Appliances and Electronics

Cut the energy used by your appliances and electronics by following a few small and easy steps.

Based on the projections in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook 2019, approximately 12% of a home’s electricity use is for appliances. You can save energy – and money – by choosing energy efficient appliances with the ENERGY STAR® label. Products that earn this label are independently certified to save energy, save money and protect the climate. Check out the latest ways to reduce your electricity use and SWEPCO bills.

Appliance Tips

Upgrade to a ENERGY STAR®-certified refrigerator if your fridge is more than 10 years old and you’ll use half the energy.
Wash laundry using cold water.
Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load.
Use the air dry cycle on your dishwasher.
Reduce use of your oven - cook more often with microwaves, toaster ovens, and crockpots.

Electronics Tips

Unplug devices when not in use. Electronics, such as televisions, use up to 10 watts of energy when they're off and still plugged in.
Use a power strip to plug in electronics and turn off the power strip when not in use.
Purchase ENERGY STAR®-certified home electronics, which use less power than other models.
Limit unnecessary use of video game consoles, which use a lot of power.
Shut down your computer if you're going to be away for more than 2 hours.
Don't use screen savers.
If you’re buying a new computer, consider a laptop since they use about 90% less energy than a desktop.
Buy ENERGY STAR®-certified computers, which meet efficiency guidelines in three operating modes: active, standby, and sleep.
If you have an old computer – increase the RAM and replace the hard drive and video card to decrease energy use.

Save Energy At Home With Electric Cooking

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that cooking accounts for 4.5 percent of your energy bill.

Electric cooking – induction burner, slow cooker, air fryer, toasters – can reduce energy use, while helping you cook food faster and better.

Save Energy At Home With Heat Pumps

ENERGY STAR®-certified heat pumps are the most efficient heating and cooling systems available today. Heating and cooling your home account for more than 50 percent of the average bill. Heat pumps can cut your total energy cost by 30 percent or more.

Here’s How They Work:

Heat pumps keep air moving. Instead of generating heat, they transfer it from one place to another. Heat pumps use less electricity because transferring heat takes less energy than generating it.

And it’s not just the heat, it’s also the humidity. High-efficiency heat pumps dehumidify air better than air conditioners, for more cooling comfort in summer months.

Look for ENERGY STAR-certified heat pumps, which have higher ratings and also use about 5 percent less energy than conventional new models.