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“Watts” Driving Up Your Electric Bill?

Has your electric bill increased, or even doubled? While a typical Ohio household uses 750 to 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, many homes use much more depending on appliances, electronics, heating and cooling systems, and devices that continuously draw power.

Understanding what uses the most electricity is the first step toward managing energy use and avoiding higher bills, especially during peak heating and cooling seasons.

Every additional kWh increases your electric bill by raising:  

  • Generation (supply) costs – the cost of electricity used each month
  • Delivery costs - transmission and distribution charges that may increase based on electricity usage.  

To learn more about charges on your electric bill, see the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel’s (OCC’s) Electric Bill Made Easy fact sheet at www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/electric-bill-made-easy.

This fact sheet groups household electricity use into three tiers of power consumption to help identify what may be driving higher bills. 

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Tier 1: Heavy Hitters (About 60-75% of Household Usage)

Large appliances and heating or cooling systems typically account for the biggest share of electricity use and are often the primary cause of high monthly kWh usage. 

CategoryDevice Average WattageEstimated Monthly Usage (kWh)
Climate control (typically one system per home)Central air conditioner3,000-5,000W450-900+kWh 
Electric furnace10,000 – 25,000W1,500-3,000+kWh
Heat pump (auxiliary or “emergency” heat mode)7,000 – 15,000W800-1,500kWh
Electric baseboard heater250W per linear foot150-400kWh (per unit)
Electric space heater1,500W180-300kWh
Water & laundryElectric water heater4,500W400-500kWh
Electric clothes dryer 3,000-5,000W75-100kWh
KitchenOld Fridge/freezer (1970s-1980s)500-800W120-180kWh
Electric range 2,000-5,000W45-75kWh
EntertainmentGaming computer 400-600W50-90kWh
MiscellaneousSump pump800-1,000W30-100kWh (rain dependent)
Pool pump500-2,500W150-300kWh

Tier 2: Common Drivers (About 20-30% of Household Usage) 

These everyday appliances and electronics generally use less electricity than Tier 1 items but can still add up because they are used frequently or for long periods. Actual usage varies by household and daily habits.  

CategoryDeviceAverage WattageEstimated monthly usage (kWh)
KitchenModern Energy Star Refrigerator (2014-present)100-400W30-60kWh
Dishwasher1,200-2,400W30-50kWh
Coffee Maker800-1,200W12-15kWh
Microwave800-1,500W5-10kWh
LaundryWashing Machine400-1,400W10-25kWh
EntertainmentLarge LED TV (65”+)150-250W18-30kWh
Game console (active)150-200W5-10kWh
Home officeLaser printer (active)300-800W1-3kWh
Computer monitor25-60W3-7kWh
BedroomElectric blanket100-200W24-48kWh
Heated mattress pad60-150W15-36kWh
OtherDehumidifier300-700W100-250kWh
Evaporative Humidifier30-60W0.24-0.48kWh
Whole-House Humidifier1,200-1,900 W9-15kWh
Air purifier20-100W15-70kWh
Vacuum500-1500W2-5kWh

Tier 3: Vampire Power (About 5-10% of Household Usage)

Some electronics use electricity even when turned off but still plugged in. Known as standby or “vampire” power, this hidden energy use may account for 5-10% of annual electric costs.  

Learn more in OCC’s What’s Draining Your Energy? Vampire Power fact sheet at www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/whats-draining-your-energy-vampire-power

CategoryDeviceStandby WattageMonthly Usage (kWh)
EntertainmentCable box (DVR)15-25W11-18kWh
Streaming device (Roku, Apple TV)2-4W1.5-3kWh
Wi-Fi Router10-20W7-14kWh
Mesh node/WiFi extender5-10W3.5-7kWh
Smart Home DevicesSmart speaker2-5W1.5-3.5kWh
Security camera4-8W3-6kWh
Hardwired smart lock2-5W1.5-3.5kWh
Home OfficeLaptop charger0.5-1W0.4-0.7kWh
Phone charger0.1-0.5W0.07-0.36kWh
Computer monitor (sleep)0.5W-1W0.4-0.7kWh
Printer (inkjet – idle)1-2W0.7-1.5kWh

Other Reasons Your Bill May be Higher

A higher bill often comes down to higher usage, or a higher rate per kWh, or both.

Ask these questions: 

  • Was the bill estimated or an actual meter reading? Estimated bills may be higher or lower than actual usage.  
  • Is your electricity usage higher than usual as compared with the same month last year? Seasonal heating and cooling can significantly affect bills. 
  • Did your electricity rate increase? Your utility’s Standard Service Offer (SSO) or supplier rate may have changed. 
  • Are new charges or rate increases listed on the bill?  Check bill messages or case numbers.
  • Was a new smart meter installed? More accurate readings may reflect actual usage more precisely. 
  • Are you on a budget billing plan? Annual true-ups or mid-year adjustments may increase bills.

For More Information

Visit OCC publications page at https://www.occ.ohio.gov/publications#energy-efficiency for energy-saving tips and fact sheets, including: 

  • Conserve Energy and Save Money, 
  • Beat the Heat: Summer Cooling Tips
  • Saving Energy During the Holidays
  • How to Shop for Lightbulbs 
  • Home Energy Saver Checklist  

Additional tips are available from the U.S. Department of Energy and Energy Star at www.energy.gov/energysaver and www.energystar.gov.
 

"Watts" Driving Up Your Electric Bill?

 

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