Many people have probably wondered, “Why is my electricity bill still so high this month, even though I’ve tried to save energy?” Sometimes, even a small difference in cost can leave people feeling frustrated and wondering if they’ve been overcharged. The truth is, there might be some energy-guzzling culprits in your home that you’re not aware of.
1. Set-top Box
The set-top box is often the most overlooked energy thief in the house. This is because standby mode, which is often left on, is the biggest culprit when it comes to energy consumption. Many people don’t realize how much energy such a small device can use.
Most families simply use the remote control to turn off the TV and set-top box when they’re done watching. However, the set-top box remains on standby mode, consuming a significant amount of electricity. A test showed that when not unplugged, a set-top box can consume more energy than two routers combined, wasting up to 10 kWh per month. So, for safety and savings, remember to unplug when not in use.
2. Air Conditioner
There’s no doubt that air conditioners are among the most energy-intensive appliances in the home. Especially during the hot summer months, running the AC all day can result in a hefty bill.
A large air conditioner with a cooling capacity of around 1200 BTU typically consumes about 0.5 kWh per hour when running continuously. If used for 8 hours a day, that’s about 4 kWh, or at least 120 kWh per month. And this is just an estimate for one unit—many households have two or more air conditioners.
If they run continuously, day and night, the monthly electricity bill can become enormous. Additionally, using the heating function in winter will further increase energy consumption. Therefore, many families opt for energy-efficient air conditioners, although their effectiveness is still limited.
3. Water Heater
Many users consider indirect water heaters, which use a storage tank, to be real energy guzzlers. For example, a 60-liter heater with a 2000-watt capacity takes 1-2 hours to heat water from 25°C to 75°C, consuming about 3 kWh of electricity.
If not turned off, the heater will automatically reheat the water when the temperature drops, using an additional 2 kWh per day. This means a water heater can consume up to 150 kWh per month. Weather changes also significantly impact energy consumption. In winter, the demand for hot water increases, and colder water takes longer and more energy to heat.
To save energy, adjust the temperature accordingly. In summer, set the temperature to 45-50°C instead of the maximum. Also, instead of keeping it on 24/7, turn on the heater about an hour before you need hot water.
4. Refrigerator
Many people mistakenly believe that refrigerators consume a lot of energy because they run continuously. However, the compressor doesn’t run 24/7. Refrigerators only use a small amount of electricity in standby mode. A typical two-door fridge consumes only about 0.7 kWh per day.
However, actual energy consumption can be higher due to usage habits. Frequently opening the fridge door or overstuffing it with food can increase heat load and energy usage. To save energy, don’t place the fridge near heat-generating appliances like microwaves or stoves.
Also, avoid cluttering it with unnecessary bottles, jars, or containers, as this adds to the cooling system’s workload. Additionally, try not to open the fridge door too often to prevent heat loss.
5. Router
Wireless routers have become essential in every household. While their power consumption is relatively low (around 8-10W), because they’re always on, they can be one of the biggest energy consumers.
A single router can use up to 6-7 kWh per month, and this number increases significantly if there are multiple routers in the home. To save energy, turn off or unplug the router when it’s not in use. This simple action can help reduce energy costs for this device by at least half.
In addition to these five devices, other appliances like TVs, washing machines, desktop computers, and microwaves also consume energy in standby mode. While the amount may not be significant, unplugging them when not in use can help save energy and ensure safety.
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