There are many ways to save energy in your home, from switching out light bulbs to using weather stripping around doors and windows. But did you know that your appliances can also be a source of wasted energy?

Here are some things to consider:

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are often overlooked as a contributor to your home’s electricity usage, but they can account for up to 10% of your monthly bill. The good news is that ceiling fans can save money by lowering your cooling costs. If you have central air conditioning and want to go green, install ceiling fans with a three-way switch, so they only run when the A/C is on. If you don’t use your ceiling fan, unplug it when not in use.

Hot Water Heater

If you’re looking for ways to lower your energy bill and go green, turn down the temperature on your water heater. You’ll still have plenty of hot water for showers and cleaning dishes, but it will cost less because you won’t be using as much energy heating cold water back up again after it has been used. You should also ensure an insulation blanket is wrapped around the tank; this will help keep heat from escaping through the walls of your house.

Refrigerator

The refrigerator is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your kitchen, after all. Without it, you won’t have cold drinks or leftovers that last longer than a few hours. But this appliance uses a lot of power when it runs for long periods in defrost mode, especially if you have an old-style side-by-side model with two doors instead of one large door that opens from the front. Refrigerators use more electricity than any other appliance in your home.

Washing machine

A washing machine uses about 6 gallons of water per wash cycle, including pre-rinse. You can reduce this amount by using Energy Star-rated machines with an “eco” or “water saver” setting, which uses less water. If you don’t have one of these models, try using cold water instead of hot water. You’ll save money on your electric bill and help protect the environment.

Air conditioner

The average air conditioner uses about 10 percent of your electricity bill annually. Turn off this big-time power hog when you leave the house or at night when it’s not needed. If you can set up your thermostat so it automatically turns down when no one is home, then do it. If not, make sure there are no lights inside while you’re away. This wastes money too.

Television

The TV is another big-time power hog. When watching TV, turn off other appliances like computers and stereos; these things also use electricity even when they aren’t turned on. Also, turn off the lights in that room if possible because they suck up a lot of juice.

Conclusion

If you are serious about saving energy (and money) when it comes to electricity bills, you need to know which appliances use the most and don’t forget to turn them off. Here is a quick comparison of some appliances that can help you make more smart decisions in your day-to-day use of them.