The simple answer is improved technology, but keep it in prospective when considering appliance energy tips. Replacing a three year old dishwasher won’t have a huge impact – putting a 12 year old refrigerator out to pasture will, though. Any major appliance that is over a decade old is due for retirement. Just changing out these older units for ENERGY STAR models has the potential to cut electricity use by half.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the one appliance that uses by far the most energy after heating and cooling equipment is the hot water heater. This means the appliances that rely on hot water, such as the dishwasher, are costing you even more. The best move you can make when upgrading your water heater is to switch to an energy efficient or tankless model. From there, the next major appliance putting a dent in the electricity is the clothes dryer with the refrigerator coming in at a close second.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this is how the numbers break down for the average home. These figures assume your home has newer appliances, however. The numbers would shift dramatically if the refrigerator or freestanding freezer were 15 years old, for example.
• Water heater – 2400 kWh for a family of two
• Clothes dryer – 1000 kWh
• Refrigerator – 600 kWh
• Dishwasher – 300 kWh
• Clothes washer – 200 kWh

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