Many household appliances, such as your oven, central air conditioner and washing machine, consume large amounts of energy. Prices are still increasing across the board, leading many to wonder what they can do to save money. Luckily, numerous affordable, energy-efficient appliances can help you cut costs on your electric bill.
Shop this article: DeLonghi Pacem360 Penguino Portable Air Conditioner, Ecosmart Eco Electric Tankless Water Heater and Cosori Air Fryer Oven Combo
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price for electricity in the U.S. is around 16.5 cents per kWh. The current cost of electricity is about 1.4 cents higher per kWh than it was last year. These figures mean that appliances like central air conditioners could be costing some people up to $239 a month.
Understanding which appliances drive up your costs is a crucial first step to reducing your monthly bill. Most devices have their energy usage printed somewhere on them, in the user manual or on the manufacturer’s website. The EPA has an intuitive energy calculator on its website to help put your energy usage into easy-to-understand terms.
Many electric companies send monthly or quarterly notices with details about your energy usage. Suppose your electric company doesn’t send energy-usage reports. In that case, you can always compare your latest electric bill to previous bills to get an idea of whether you’re decreasing your energy usage.
Central air conditioners usually keep your entire house cool, but you usually only need one or two rooms cooled at a time. Portable air conditioners let you cool one room in your house at a time and are far more mobile than window units. Most portable air conditioners cost between $500-$600, but they only cost around $60 a month to run. This means they pay for themselves in no time.
Portable air conditioners don’t block the entire window, so you will still be able to see outside. Many of these devices have dehumidifier and fan settings. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about city ordinances that restrict units that protrude from your home.
According to energy.gov, tankless water heaters can save you anywhere from 8% to 34% on your monthly electric bill, depending on how much hot water you use. Additionally, most tankless water heaters last around 20 years, whereas traditional water heaters need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. Tankless water heaters often have replacement parts, meaning you can often fix them rather than replace them.
An important note when selecting a tankless water heater: You should buy one with an intermittent pilot. Tankless water heaters with pilots that run continuously don’t usually result in energy savings. Additionally, gas-powered tankless water heaters require you to put in additional ducts, meaning costs can add up quickly.
Air fryers use about half as much energy as stoves. Most things that you can make in your stove can also be made using an air fryer, and many of them will taste better. Air fryers use the same convection heating system found in commercial ovens. Additionally, air fryers can mimic a traditional deep fryer if you add a small amount of oil.
If you plan to use an air fryer instead of your stove, it’s essential to consider the unit’s size. Many air fryers are large enough to cook meals for four people.
DeLonghi Pacem360 Penguino Portable Air Conditioner
Ideal for cooling rooms up to 400 square feet, this product features a dehumidifier, a fan and an air conditioner. It can cool a small space from over 80 degrees down to around 60 degrees in only an hour.
Sold by Amazon
Ecosmart Eco Electric Tankless Water Heater
This features a compact design and an intuitive digital display. It heats up to 6 gallons per minute and is certified by the Water Quality Association. This unit only heats water as needed rather than heating it continuously.
Sold by Amazon
With more internal space than most air fryers, this model is ideal for families of four or more. It’s easy to clean, and the removable basket is dishwasher-safe. The numerous presets make it simple to cook popular foods.
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
