How much electricity an appliance uses depends on its power rating and how long it runs. A Spanish study found refrigerators accounted for the largest share within the household-appliance category.
In the SECH-SPAHOUSEC study, refrigerators accounted for 30.6% of energy use within the household-appliance category. Appliances as a whole represented 21.7% of total household energy consumption in Spain. Televisions accounted for 12.2% within the appliance category, washing machines for 11.8% and standby use for 10.7%. Those shares are not percentages of all household energy use.
Consumption depends on operating time and efficiency. A refrigerator runs around the clock, so choosing an efficient model and setting its temperature properly can help reduce its use. Turning off a television when no one is watching and running a full or eco-mode washing-machine load can also help.
Electric ovens and cooktops, air conditioners and clothes dryers can use substantial amounts of electricity. A vacuum, iron, toaster or coffee maker usually runs for a shorter time. Hair dryers and straighteners have high power ratings, so daily use can add to a bill.
To estimate an appliance’s use, consumers need to consider both its wattage and its operating time. La Nación gives a refrigerator rated at 350 to 1,000 watts that runs throughout the day and a television rated at 150 to 400 watts that is used for only a few hours as examples.