Cutting Down Appliance Energy Usage for Maximum Saving

When it comes to cutting down appliance energy usage, the goal isn’t just to save energy. Iit’s to revolutionize how your home interacts with the grid, especially if you are considering a transition to solar power.

Most of the electricity we use in the United States is generated by burning coal, oil, and natural gas. When these fossil fuels are burned, carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to environmental degradation.

If your electricity is generated by fossil fuels, everything in your home that uses electricity—including your lights, dishwasher, and computer—causes carbon to enter the atmosphere.

More carbon is released if a device burns fuel directly, such as a gas stove, water heating systems, or an oil-burning furnace. The amount of carbon released is known as its carbon footprint.

Heating and Cooling: The Heat Pump Advantage

According to the Department of Energy (2024), heating and cooling account for roughly 55% of the average home's energy use. This is where you can achieve the most significant energy savings.

Replacing an old furnace and AC with a high-efficiency heat pump allows you to use significantly less energy for climate control. Because heat pumps run on electricity, they pair perfectly with solar, allowing your panels to cover your HVAC needs for maximum efficiency.

Based on 2026 PECO rates of $0.21/kWh. Data via DOE & EnergyStar.

Why Cutting Down Appliance Energy Usage is Essential

Most of the electricity we use in the United States is generated by burning coal, oil, and natural gas. When these fossil fuels are burned, carbon is released into the atmosphere. The negative effects of this on the environment are well known.

If your electricity is generated by fossil fuels, then everything in your home that uses electricity – including your lights, dishwasher, and computer – causes carbon to enter the atmosphere. More carbon is released if the device burns fuel directly – a gas stove, a water heater, or an oil-burning furnace, for example. The amount of carbon that the device releases into the atmosphere is known as its carbon footprint.

For those interested in reducing their energy usage and lowering their carbon footprint, it’s important to think about their major appliances and their home’s lighting.

While the best new appliances are more energy efficient than older ones, it’s not recommended that you purchase a new one for the sole purpose of reducing energy consumption, because the energy expended producing and shipping a new appliance would more or less counteract its greater efficiency.

So if you're old, and your appliance is still working satisfactorily, it’s okay to keep it.

There are, however, plenty of ways you can reduce energy usage with your existing appliances by changing how you use them. While keeping a working appliance is fine, upgrading to an Energy Star-certified model before installing solar is often a smarter capital investment to save money on system sizing.

Related article: 10 Ways to Keep Cool Using Less Electricity

Washing Machine

One of the easiest changes you can make is to wash clothes in cold water. Hot water doesn’t get clothes any cleaner, and can actually cause them to wear out faster. A washing machine uses 75% less energy when used with cold water than with hot water.

Kitchen and Laundry Energy Saving Tips

To cut energy in the kitchen, consider using a microwave oven or toaster ovens for smaller meals, as they use more electricity effectively than a full-sized oven. If you are replacing your range, induction stoves are a top-tier energy-efficient choice that reduces waste by heating the cookware directly.

In the laundry room, always use a high-efficiency detergent that allows for a shorter wash cycle. One of the easiest energy-saving tips is to move the temperature dial to the cold position.

A washing machine uses 75% less energy in the cold position than in the hot position. When you must use the dryer, ensure there is proper air circulation by cleaning the lint trap every time.

Dryer

Skip the dryer! Get a clothesline or a drying rack and use the free energy of the sun to dry your clothes. It might take a little longer, but if you’re so desperate for a clean, dry shirt that you can’t wait a day, you might need to rethink your laundry schedule. If you must use the dryer, be sure not to overfill it, which reduces its efficiency.

Dishwasher

While extremely convenient, dishwashers use a lot of energy. If you must use one, turn off the heated dry cycle. A dishwasher uses about the same amount of energy whether it’s nearly empty or full, so use it only when it’s full.

(One full load will use half the energy of two half-full loads.) If you don’t have a full load but need certain items, wash them by hand.

Related article: Comparing the True Costs of Solar

Water Heater

Install an exterior layer of insulation on your water heater. This will keep the water inside hotter longer, so the device will use less energy to reheat it. Easily-installed insulating sleeves are available for every size heater. While newer water heaters are better insulated than older models, they still benefit from this additional insulation.

Also, consider turning down the temperature of your water heater. Don’t go below 140°F, however, to avoid creating optimal growth conditions for the bacteria that cause Legionnaire’s disease.

Refrigerator

Look at the position of your fridge in the kitchen. Is it near the oven or in direct sunshine opposite a bright window? If so, it’s being forced to compete with those sources of heat and should be moved.

Another way to reduce energy usage is to keep your fridge full of food or water. The items in the refrigerator act as a thermal mass and keep it from changing temperature quickly when you open the door.

Regularly check your refrigerator door seals to ensure no cold air is escaping. Ensure there is enough space around the unit for proper air circulation.

Lighting

Replace conventional incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs. Both save energy directly and, because they generate virtually no heat, reduce the need for air conditioning.

For those interested in energy efficiency and lowering their carbon footprint, it is vital to connect energy demand to the cost of your solar installation.

Many homeowners realize that by choosing an energy efficient model for their major utilities, they can maximize efficiency and reduce the number of solar panels required for their roof. This "right-sizing" of your electricity usage can save you thousands of dollars in upfront solar costs.

Related article: Direct Benefits of Installing Solar Panels

Small changes can stop your home from unnecessarily increasing energy consumption:

Smart Power: Use smart strips that automatically cut power to devices in standby mode. This helps cut power to "vampire" loads that drain more energy when you aren't looking.

In the summer, ceiling fans allow you to raise the thermostat by 4 degrees with no loss in comfort, lowering your energy bill.

At TerraSol Energies, we want to help our customers save as much money as possible on their home energy costs. Contact us for more information on how we can reduce your monthly utility bill.

By implementing these strategies, you can save energy and see a drastic reduction in your monthly electricity costs. Long-term savings are what we all aim for.

We want to help our customers reach their goals. Our team can show you how an Energy Star upgrade can reduce your solar system's complexity and help you save money for decades. Taking these steps to reduce waste is an integral part of cutting down appliance energy usage.