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Electricity use is on the rise in most homes. One reason we're using more electricity is because we're using more electronic equipment. We have home computer systems, home entertainment systems, VCRs and answering machines as well as the traditional home appliances (refrigerators, stoves, clothes washers, etc.). Some of these appliances use electricity even when they are turned off. The average Wisconsin homeowner spends about $400 per year on electricity to run their appliances and household electronic equipment.

To find out more about your household appliances and how much energy they use, click on the link below to view our appliance energy use fact sheet.
     Appliances Fact Sheet

One way to reduce appliance energy use is to buy the most energy efficient appliances available. When you're in the market for a new appliance or other household electronic equipment, look for ENERGY STAR^® qualified products.

To find out more about specific types of appliances and their ENERGY STAR qualified models, click on the links to the fact sheets below.
     Resource Efficient Clothes Washers Fact Sheet
     Energy Efficient Refrigerators and Dishwashers Fact Sheet

Refrigerator Energy Use
It can often make dollars and sense to replace an older appliance before the end of its useful life. Prior to 1990 many name brand refrigerators used vastly more electricity than current models. Click on the title above to find out if it you should replace your current refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR qualified model.

Are you appliances wasting energy? A watt meter is an electronic instrument that measures the power (watts) used by an appliance. When you plug the meter into the appliance, you can measure how much electricity your appliances are using and what they are costing you. This fact sheet to help you.
      Watt Meter Energy Use Fact Sheet