How Small Appliances May Be Driving Up Your Energy Use—and Ways to Reduce It

Key Takeaways

• Small appliances that heat or cool things—such as space heaters, air fryers, or compact refrigerators—are among the biggest energy users in the home.

• “Always on” devices, including gaming systems, computers, and small kitchen appliances with clocks or programmable settings, can also use a surprising amount of electricity.

• Ways to cut costs include choosing ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, using timers or smart plugs, and unplugging devices when they are not in use.

As electricity prices climb, many households are looking for ways to trim their utility bills. And while turning off the lights when leaving a room is good advice, it is not always the best place to focus if you want to use less energy overall.

Heating and cooling remain the largest share of home energy costs, accounting for as much as 52%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Even so, small appliances can still add up to meaningful expenses. Paying attention to them can help reduce waste and support broader energy-saving efforts, says Seth Little, an energy efficiency expert at CLEAResult.

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Small Appliances That Use a Lot of Energy

Anything plugged in and switched on draws electricity, and Little says these kinds of appliances and similar devices make up about 20% of a home’s energy use. If you are trying to save beyond what you can cut from large appliances and heating and cooling systems, these are the devices worth watching closely.

Anything that heats up or cools down

Changing temperature takes a lot of energy, which is why air fryers, hair dryers, space heaters, and mini fridges can drive up electric bills. “Small appliances that generate heat or cold generally use more energy than devices that simply move air or run electronics, because changing temperature is energy-intensive,” Little says. “That includes things like space heaters, air fryers, toaster ovens, electric kettles, and other heated personal or kitchen appliances.”

Appliances that are “always on”

This group includes a wide range of electronics, from programmable coffee makers and kitchen gadgets to computers and gaming systems that are always ready to use. “Items like coffee makers with digital clocks, gaming systems, televisions, and computers may not use much power individually, but when they stay plugged in around the clock, that energy use adds up over time,” Little says. “You can reduce this type of standby or ‘phantom’ energy use through everyday habits, such as unplugging devices when they’re not needed or using advanced power strips that can cycle power when not in use.”

Lighting

LED and other low-energy bulbs can help lower lighting costs, but lighting can still become a noticeable expense depending on the type and number of bulbs in use. “Lighting is another thing to look out for, especially if your home has a lot of incandescent lights,” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angi.

How to Cut Your Power Bills

The biggest savings usually come from lowering your heating temperature, shortening hot showers, using cool-water settings on the washing machine, and making sure larger appliances are used efficiently. Still, small adjustments can help, and paying closer attention to small appliances can make a difference over time. “Being mindful of small-appliance use helps avoid unnecessary energy waste and complements larger efforts,” Little says.

Look for ENERGY STAR-rated appliances when you’re shopping

When you need a new appliance or device, check for the ENERGY STAR label. “ENERGY STAR–rated appliances use less energy over time and tend to have the biggest impact for devices that are used frequently,” Little says.

Use the appliance that requires the least amount of power to get the job done

If you are roasting a small amount of chicken, the air fryer may be more efficient than heating a full-size oven. Microwaving can also use less energy than the stovetop. “Smaller countertop cooking appliances may use less energy than, for example, the oven, which needs to heat a larger volume of air,” Little says. “Matching your need to the most efficient device can help save energy.”

Tips

To get more out of the energy you use, try meal prepping in batches—roast chicken for one meal and vegetables for another at the same time so you use oven space efficiently and make dinner prep easier later.

Go old school with your beauty routine

Letting your hair air-dry now and then, or using no-heat curling methods instead of a curling iron, can help reduce energy use.

Use timers or smart bulbs and smart plugs

Timers, smart plugs, and smart bulbs can all help lower energy costs. “Smart home technology is your friend here,” Hicks says. “You can schedule your HVAC system—usually the biggest energy user—to shut off during the day when you’re away from your home. Similarly, you can schedule your lights to turn off, which could save energy over time.”

You can also connect energy vampires such as computers, TVs, and gaming systems to smart outlets you control through an app. “A single tap on the phone is often much more convenient than unplugging all energy vampires after use,” Hicks says.

Unplug as soon as you’re done

Unless you have your coffee maker set to brew before you wake up, there is no reason to keep it plugged in just to display the time. Unplugging appliances that draw “always on” power can save money over time.