10 Surprising Energy Hogs in Your Home

There are devices that could be hogging energy in your home and you may not even know it. These energy hogs use more energy than they need to and make a huge difference in your monthly energy bill. By identifying the biggest energy hogs and making a handful of simple adjustments, you can get your energy bill back on track. Here’s how the top ten energy hogs could be costing you a hefty penny.

1. AC Unit

What temperature do you set your air conditioning to when you're not home? Do you know how to set and use your thermostat properly so that your home is comfortable, and the A/C unit isn’t working overtime?

If you work 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, you probably average somewhere between 40-60 hours spent outside of your home every week. This is precious time that should be used to conserve energy by setting your air conditioner to a more neutral temperature. The less that your home has to work to heat/cool your space, the more energy you're saving.

It doesn't have to be a drastic temperature change, by the way. You can spare a few degrees in energy and still ensure your pets are comfortable while you're out and that your home feels good when you walk in after a long day.

2. Water Usage

Another energy hog to be aware of is your water usage. This pertains mostly to hot water, but our overall water usage could be cut back considerably to save more on energy and help the environment.

When it comes to hot water, there’s more to it than just the showers and baths you take. We also use it when washing dishes, and doing laundry. The day-to-day use of hot water is endless.

Every drop adds up. Whenever you're using hot water, energy is used to heat the water. It’s not always necessary to use hot water for daily tasks like laundry.  Making the simple adjustment, while also conserving your water use as a whole, could be worth it if you want to cut back on energy expenses.

3. Lighting

Close your eyes and imagine all the lights you have in each room on the inside and outside of your home. Are there more lights than you might have guessed? Well, every single light you use throughout the day increases your energy bill.

The best thing you can do is try to make better use of natural light and to make it a habit to turn off the lights that aren't in use. This is super simple and incredibly effective.

4. Battery Chargers

You may be surprised to see this energy hog on the list, but it is definitely an abuser of what we call vampire power.

Most people leave chargers plugged in when they're not using them and don’t ever think twice about it. Phone chargers, computer chargers, and other devices like Bluetooth speakers or smart-home devices take up your home's energy even when nothing is plugged in! Start unplugging them when you're not charging and encourage everyone else in the home to do the same. Get the full list of appliances and devices you should pull the plug on to save energy and money.

5. Microwave Oven

If your microwave is hooked up to the wall or built into the cabinets, don’t bother trying to unplug it after each use. However, if it rests on a counter, this is another item you should unplug when not in use if you want to save energy.

6. Game Consoles

Another energy hog sitting in your home is a game console. If you have more than one game console, you're wasting a lot more energy than most homeowners.

Unplug these when they're not in use. This allows them to rest and keeps their battery from overheating, which is great for the lifespan of the consoles. More importantly, it will do wonders for your monthly energy bill.

7. Televisions

The game consoles aren't the only entertainment pieces taking up a lot of energy in your home. Televisions are doing the same thing. This goes for old TVs and recently-made ones, too. It's also applicable to Smart TVs with internet and streaming capacities, which tend to take up more energy.

Identify which TV's you don't use often that you wouldn't mind unplugging - like the one in the guest room or the den that you rarely use. Maybe even see if there are a few TVs you wouldn't mind getting rid of altogether!

8. Set-Top Boxes

Set-top boxes are part of a cable or satellite TV service. This is basically what helps TV's get the signal needed from major companies and networks that gives you access to the shows and movies you watch on a daily basis.

If you use an Apple TV, a smart TV, or any of the many other streaming services available today, you probably don’t have a need for a set-top box and can get rid of cable altogether. This will help you save you a little extra money each month as well. 

9. Computers

Computers of all shapes and sizes can be energy hogs if they're not used correctly. Turn off your desktop's monitor whenever it's not in use.  Also, make it a habit to unplug your laptop from its charger (and unplug the charger itself) when you're not using it, either.

10. Pool Pump

The last energy hog you may have in your home is the pool pump. While it's nice to have a warm, clean pool, you don't have to run the pool pump 24/7 to have such a luxury.

Create a schedule for the pool cleaner to run the pool pump just enough to keep it looking good.  This cuts back on the energy used. As far as pool heating goes, only turn the heater on when you know you're about to use the pool. You'll have to wait a bit to jump in, but you'll be saving a whole lot on your energy bill.

Turning Home Energy Hogs into Energy Efficient Habits

Creating more energy efficiency in your home doesn't happen overnight. It takes time and practice to understand how the energy hogs in your home work and how to improve your overall use without sacrificing your quality of life.

Don't forget that you can reach out to your home energy provider for support and tips. Check to see if our services are available in your area and discover what we can do for you!