Energy Efficiency

How much does it really cost to use the appliances in your home? Here’s a quick way to get a feel for what your home’s appliances cost to operate. Try it out and see if you can solve the puzzling questions below. See if you are an Energy Pro!

Appliance How many
operate in
your home? 		Wattage Operating
Time Per
Day 		Typical
Hours
Per Year 		Typical
kWh Per
Year 		Total Cost
Per Year
 Color Television    200  6 h   2190    438    $   
 Stereo    50  4 h   1460    73    $   
 VCR    30  4 h   1460    44    $   
 Clock Radio    10  24 h   8760    88    $   
 Computer, Monitor & Printer    300  4 h   1460    438    $   
 Microwave Oven    1500  30 m   182    273    $   
 Refrigerator    500  8 h   2920    1460    $   
 Dishwasher    1200  1 h   365    438    $   
 Toaster Oven    1150  1 h   365    420    $   
 Clothes Washer    500  18 m   110    55    $   
 Iron    1090  30 m   182    198    $   
 Vacuum Cleaner    650  9 m   55    36    $   
 Electric Water Heater    4500  3 h   1095    4928    $   
 Electric Blanket    175  8 h   960    168    $   
 Ceiling Fan    25  12 h   2160    54    $   
 Window Fan    150  8 h   1440    216    $   
 Whole House Fan    500  10 h   1200    600    $   
 Hair Dryer    1200  15 m   91    109    $   
 Curling Iron    50  10 m   58    3    $   
 Water Bed    400  10 h   3650    1460    $   
 100-watt Light Bulb    100  6 h   2190    219    $   
 18-watt Compact Fluorescent    18  6 h   2190    39    $   
Cost Per kWh: Total Cost Per Year: $ 

 

  1. What costs more to operate, a color television or a refrigerator?

  2. What appliance has the highest wattage?

  3. What appliance has the lowest wattage?

  4. What type of fan has the lowest wattage?

  5. If the clothes washer and the refrigerator have about the same wattage, why does it cost so much more to operate the refrigerator?

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