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Household appliances that use the most energy

Get the low-down on your plug-ins by room to help you take more control of energy usage.
5 min read
Last updated 30 Oct, 2023

With the rising cost of living, recent research suggests Australians are likely to use more energy as they choose to stay in and do more at home. The research also shows we’re investing more in home electrical items, but do we know their impact on household spend?

Where possible, it’s important we understand how much energy we’re using to better manage our costs, particularly during peak periods. Here’s a room-by-room rundown of what you might expect your appliances will use in a year.

Roof with solar panels.
Living Room: 1. Television 342kWh/yr, 2. Air conditioner: 339kW/yr
Kitchen: 3. Electric Oven 1,533kWh/yr, 4. Electric Stovetop 1,602kWh/yr
5. 329kWh/yr, 6. 207kW/yr
Laundry: 7. Washing machine 125kW/hr, 8. 927kWh/yr
Outdoors: 7. Pool pump around 2,002kWh/yr.

Sources

The above figures are a general average estimate only, calculated on the below factors and are subject to change.

  1. Based on the average annual usage of a 40-55inch LED LCD TV with a 3-4.5 star energy rating and average electricity usage rate of 33c/kWh, assuming TV is used for 10 hours a day, with 14 hours spent in standby power. Rates based on single-rate (non-solar plans) available on Canstar’s database. As at 5 September 2023. Full figures here.
  2. Based on a medium-sized (3-5kW) cooling usage, reverse cycle/split system unit in an ‘average’ climate (Sydney, Adelaide and Perth).  Note that other States/Territories may attract differing costs. Average electricity usage rates based on single-rate, non-solar plans on Canstar’s database. As at 11 May 2023. Full figures here.
  3. Based on 2 hours of use per day, consuming 4.2kWh. Average electricity costs based on single-rate plans on Canstar’s database, excluding solar-only plans. As at 16 October 2023. Full figures here.
  4. Using Ausgrid Energy Use Calculator based on Ausgrid Appliance Energy Guide for a 2200W large electric cooktop. The calculated yearly figure is based on 2 hours per day use.
  5. Based on capacity. As at 24 August 2023. Full figures here.
  6. Based on running for five minutes and 11 seconds, three times daily. Based on a starting temperature of 23 degrees and end temperature of 100 degrees, at 80% efficiency. As at 19 September 2023. Full figures here.
  7. Average annual usage for a 4-4.5 star washing machine (front loader), assuming three loads per week using a warm wash. Average electricity usage rates are based on single-rate, non-solar plans on Canstar’s database, As at 15 August 2023. Full figures here.
  8. Vented dryers can use up to  5.94kW/h, based on dryers with a capacity between 5kg and 10kg. Calculated yearly figure is based on three loads per week. Average use rate based on single rate plans on Canstar’s database. As at 15 May 2023. Full figures here.
  9. Using Ausgrid Energy Use Calculator based on Ausgrid Appliance Energy Guide for an 1100W pool pump. The calculated yearly figure is based on 455 hours of usage a quarter (35 hours a week).

Save even more energy

Energy efficiency goes beyond knowing what your appliances use. Check out our tips for using less energy in every room of your home.

See our tips

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Sources
 
  1. TV running costs explained 
  2. The cost of running your JBL Bar 5.1 (2)
  3. Energy Use Calculator assumes 3500W for an air conditioner running three hours a day, or nine hours per day over four warm months (3)
  4. Xbox One: Windows Central assumes 17 hours a week with heavy use
  5. Xbox One X: AnandTech assumes 17 hours a week with heavy use
  6. How much energy is your Wi-Fi router using?
  7. Apple TV 4K: MP7P2 (7)
  8. Energy Use Calculator assumes 1500W for a stove-top running for two hours a day (8)
  9. Energy Use Calculator assumes 1200W for a toaster cooking six slices of bread for 12 minutes daily (9)
  10. The cost of running your fridge (10)
  11. Energy Use Calculator assumes 2400W for an oven running for an hour a day (11)
  12. Canstar Blue assumes 2200W for a 1.7-litre kettle running for four minutes and 19 seconds, three times daily (12)
  13. The real cost of using your microwave (13)
  14. Asko W6444A 
  15. Assuming a 3.3kWh electric dryer running for two hours a week
  16. Rheem running cost estimator
  17. Smart swimming pools trailing energy-saving technology
  18. How much energy does the average swimming pool use?