Your refrigerator runs 24 hours a day. Your water heater sits in the basement doing its job quietly. Your clothes dryer roars to life several times a week. These major appliances are workhorses, and they're also some of the biggest energy consumers in your home. But they're not alone—smaller devices like televisions, computer equipment, and phone chargers constantly draw power, even when you're not actively using them.
The good news? You don't have to live without modern conveniences. With smart habits and a few strategic adjustments, you can dramatically cut what these appliances and electronics cost to run. Some changes take seconds; others require a bit more attention. Together, they add up to hundreds of dollars in annual savings.
1. Optimize Your Refrigerator
Your refrigerator is likely the single biggest energy consumer in your kitchen—and it's always on. Here's how to keep it efficient:
Set the temperature to 38°F. Most households run their fridges too cold, forcing the compressor to work harder than necessary. 38°F is the ideal temperature for food safety and efficiency. Every degree colder increases energy use. Check your fridge's current temperature and adjust downward if it's set higher—but don't go below 38°F.
Clean the coils once a year. Dirty or dusty coils force your refrigerator to work harder and use more energy. Vacuum the coils (usually located on the back or bottom of the unit) annually. As a bonus, leave at least three inches of space between your fridge and the wall to allow heat to escape. A cramped fridge works harder than a well-ventilated one.
These two simple steps can noticeably reduce your refrigerator's energy draw—and potentially extend its lifespan.
2. Hang Laundry to Dry
A typical clothes dryer uses up to four times more energy than a new clothes washer. It's one of the most energy-intensive appliances in your home. If you can hang-dry laundry, the energy savings are enormous.
Hang drying is free after you've installed a line or rack. Yes, it takes more time than machine drying, but many people find it rewarding—plus, your clothes last longer when they're not tumbled and heated in a dryer. Even hanging-drying just half your laundry cuts dryer energy use in half.
If hang-drying isn't practical year-round (winter weather, limited space), do what you can. Every load hung to dry is money saved.
3. Use the Moisture Sensor on Your Dryer
When hang-drying isn't an option, use your dryer's moisture-sensor setting instead of timed dry. Moisture sensors detect when clothes are dry and automatically shut off the dryer—preventing you from overdrying (which wastes energy and damages clothes).
Timed dry cycles often run longer than necessary, wasting both energy and wear-and-tear on your clothes. Let the sensor do the work, and your utility bill will thank you.
4. Wash Cold and Load Full
As mentioned in the water heating section, about 90% of washing machine energy goes to heating water. Washing with cold water saves that energy entirely. Modern detergents are formulated to work in cold water, so your clothes get just as clean.
Also, run full loads only. A full load uses roughly the same energy as a half-full load, so you maximize efficiency per garment washed.
5. Operate Your Dishwasher More Efficiently
Your dishwasher uses considerable energy, especially for heating water. Here's how to run it smarter:
Load it fully before running (like laundry, a full load uses energy more efficiently than a partial load)
Use the air-dry or energy-saving setting instead of the heated dry cycle
Scrape—don't rinse—dishes before loading (pre-rinsing wastes water and energy)
Run it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates
These habits keep your dishes clean while reducing energy and water use.
6. Unplug Electronics and Chargers
Many electronic devices continue to draw power even when turned off. Phone chargers, laptop adapters, coffee makers, and entertainment systems all consume "phantom power" or "standby power" 24/7.
Unplug devices and chargers when they're not in use. It sounds simple, but it works. For devices you use regularly (like phone chargers), consider keeping them plugged in only when actively charging.
7. Use Advanced Power Strips
If unplugging everything isn't practical, advanced power strips can do it for you. These intelligent strips automatically cut power to devices when they're not in use. Features to look for include:
Timers: Turn off automatically after a set time
Occupancy sensors: Turn off when no motion is detected
Current sensing: Turn off when current draw drops below a threshold
Advanced power strips are especially useful for entertainment centers (TV, cable box, gaming systems) where multiple devices draw phantom power simultaneously.
8. Adjust Your Television Display
New televisions arrive from the factory set to look their best on a bright showroom floor. This "vivid" or "torch" display mode uses considerable energy and is often unnecessary in home settings.
Adjust your TV's display settings to a more moderate brightness level. You'll barely notice the difference in picture quality, but your energy consumption will drop noticeably. Many TVs also have "eco" modes that automatically optimize brightness and power use.
9. Choose Efficient Televisions
If you're shopping for a new TV, look for models with brightness control and dimming settings. These features automatically adjust your display based on ambient light, reducing power consumption without sacrificing picture quality. ENERGY STAR-certified televisions use less power than standard models—often a meaningful difference over the TV's 7–10 year lifespan.
10. Upgrade to Smart Outlets
Smart outlets enable you to remotely control your lighting, appliances, and electronics via smartphone app or voice command. Turn off devices from anywhere, set schedules, or monitor real-time energy use. Some smart outlets integrate with other smart home systems for seamless automation.
While not essential, smart outlets add convenience and help you catch forgotten devices before they waste power all day.
11. Measure Appliance Energy Use
Curious which devices are eating up your electricity? A plug-in power meter ($15–$40) lets you measure exactly how much electricity any device uses. Plug it in, turn on the device, and see real-time watts and estimated monthly cost.
This information is eye-opening and motivating. You might discover that your old space heater uses as much as your fridge, or that your gaming console draws constant power even in standby. Armed with this data, you can prioritize where to focus efficiency efforts.
12. Track Your Overall Electricity Usage
For a bigger-picture view, a home power monitor displays real-time feedback on your home's total electricity consumption. Many show day-by-day calculations of your energy bill, serving as motivation for you and your family to keep saving.
Seeing your bill drop in real-time when you make efficiency changes reinforces good habits and keeps everyone engaged in the energy-saving mission.
Energy Star Appliance Rebates
When it's time to replace major appliances, ENERGY STAR-certified models use as much as 70% less energy than standard models. Many utilities offer rebates to make the upgrade more affordable. Here's an example from ComEd (your electricity provider may offer similar programs):
Clothes Washers: $40
Electric Clothes Dryers: $40
Heat Pump Clothes Dryers: $200
Induction Cooktops & Ranges: $100
Dehumidifiers: $45
Check ComEd.com/Appliances or your own utility's website for current rebate offerings. These credits can significantly reduce the cost of upgrading to efficient appliances—sometimes paying back the upgrade investment within a few years through energy savings.
Bonus Tip: Talk About It
Talk with your household about your energy savings plan. Managing appliances and electronics requires household participation. Maybe one family member loves leaving the TV on for background noise, while another religiously unplugs chargers. By discussing your goals—"We're aiming to reduce phantom power," "We're running full loads only," "We're hang-drying laundry on weekends"—everyone understands and can support the plan.
The Bottom Line
Major appliances and hidden electronics are silent energy consumers, but they don't have to drain your budget. Simple habits like unplugging chargers, running full loads, and adjusting thermostat settings cost nothing and save real money. Strategic upgrades—like moisture sensors, smart outlets, or efficient new appliances (often aided by utility rebates)—pay for themselves through energy savings.
Start with the free or nearly-free changes today. When major appliances need replacement, invest in ENERGY STAR models and take advantage of rebates. Over time, you'll have a home full of efficient devices that cost less to operate and often work better than the inefficient alternatives they replaced.
Your appliances work for you. Make sure they work efficiently.
What's your biggest energy-draining appliance or device? Share your discovery—or your efficiency fix—in the comments!
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