
**Top 10 Home Appliances That Use the Most Energy**
1. **Air Conditioner (~17%)** โ The biggest energy user. Set your thermostat to 75ยฐF when home and 78ยฐF when away to save power.
2. **Space Heating (~15%)** โ Use 68ยฐF as your base temperature and lower it to 58-60ยฐF when away to cut costs.
3. **Water Heater (~14%)** โ Insulate your tank, lower the temp to 120ยฐF, and use less hot water.
4. **Lighting (~10%)** โ Switch to LED bulbs. Replacing just 5 bulbs can save up to $75 per year.
5. **Refrigerator (~7%)** โ Clean coils, choose ENERGY STAR models, and consider removing extra fridges.
6. **TVs & Electronics (~7%)** โ Use power strips and reduce screen brightness to save energy.
7. **Dryer (~5%)** โ Air-dry clothes or use the โcool-downโ setting to cut consumption.
8. **Ceiling Fans (~2%)** โ Use them to feel cooler or warmer and reduce HVAC usage overall.
9. **Cooking (~1.5%)** โ Use the microwave more, skip preheating, or cook outdoors to save energy and reduce heat indoors.
10. **Microwave (~1.1%)** โ Microwaves are energy-efficient and prevent extra heat buildup compared to ovens.
> Note: Actual energy use varies by home, climate, and household size. These numbers are averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.