Reducing Appliance Energy Costs in Arizona Homes

Arizona residents face some of the highest summer electricity bills in the nation. Your kitchen appliances contribute significantly to this expense, but smart usage can reduce costs substantially.

Refrigerators account for approximately 10-15% of household electricity use. Ensuring your unit is running efficiently through regular maintenance is the first step to reducing costs.

Set your refrigerator to 37-38 degrees and your freezer to 0 degrees. Each degree colder than necessary increases energy consumption by about 2-3%.

Keep refrigerators and freezers reasonably full. The mass of cold items helps maintain temperature when doors are opened. Empty units work harder to cool the air that enters.

Dishwashers use less water and energy than hand washing when run with full loads. Use the air-dry setting instead of heated drying to save additional energy.

Run dishwashers and other heat-producing appliances during evening hours. This reduces the load on your air conditioning and may qualify for lower time-of-use electricity rates.

Convection ovens cook food faster and at lower temperatures than conventional settings. Using this feature when appropriate can reduce cooking energy by 20% or more.

Consider the size of the burner for stovetop cooking. Using a 6-inch burner instead of a 10-inch burner for small pans can save significant energy over time.

Smart plugs and energy monitoring devices can reveal which appliances consume the most power. This information helps you make informed decisions about usage and replacement.

When replacement becomes necessary, look for ENERGY STAR certified models. Premium brands like Sub-Zero, Miele, and Bosch often exceed minimum efficiency standards.