Home Equipment Cost of Operation
One of the easiest ways to reduce energy consumption is to get in the habit of turning things off when you finish using them.
Power fiction and facts
Fiction: Turning things on and off uses more energy.
Fact: Turning off an appliance is more efficient than leaving it on. While an extra surge of electricity flows when you turn on an electrical device, this surge is brief and uses very little extra power. Even computers can be safely turned off when you are not using them.
Appliance energy costs
Do you know what your appliances cost to use? Look for ways to reduce use and you will save. Typical cost per month:
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when you buy. Appliances and equipment labeled with an ENERGY STAR label use less energy, save money and help protect the environment.
Appliances that use more energy than you think
Some appliances use small amounts of electricity, but because we don't unplug them, they are using power 24 hours a day everyday and costing more than we realize. Any appliance with a clock or remote control function is "on" all the time.
Equipment costs when turned "off"
| Cost per year at present rate | |
| Coffeemaker - 2 watts | $2.17 |
| Microwave oven - 3 watts | $3.25 |
| TV - 7 watts | $7.58 |
| VCR - 5 watts | $5.42 |
| DVD - 5 watts | $5.42 |
| Set-top box - 11 to 23 watts (e.g., cable, video game, etc.) |
$11.92 to $24.92 |
Other appliances we typically leave "on"
| Cost per year at present rate | |
| Computer - 35 watts | $37.92 |
| Inkjet printer - 4.6 watts | $4.98 |
| Monitor (LCD) - 2.6 watts | $2.82 |
| Cell phone battery charger - 1.6 watts | $1.73 |
| Cordless drill battery charger - 2.4 watts | $2.60 |
For more information
The Power of Working Together [428 kB PDF]
Appliance Energy Costs [1.0 MB PDF]
Track Your Home's Energy Use
Check Out an MGE Portable Energy Meter from Your Local Library
Refrigerators
ENERGY STAR Program
Portable Energy Meter
