Quiz: Which is the Most Energy-Efficient?
Need help deciding which appliance to use or purchase? Our Energy-Efficient Quiz can help! We took a look at some of the most used appliances in the home and compared them to see which are the most energy-efficient.
Is a stove or a microwave more energy efficient?
Answer: Microwave
Your microwave is a much more efficient way to heat or reheat than your stovetop, mainly because your stovetop wastes a fair amount of heat. Your microwave uses about 80 percent less energy than your stove for heating relatively small amounts of food.
Even though your microwave uses a lot of electricity, it's a small burst of power vs. the long, delayed energy used to heat your stove. Of course, you can save some of the energy you're using on your stove by using pots that are size appropriate to the burner. In addition to saving energy, microwave ovens generally cook food much faster and don't generate as much heat in your kitchen. This could save on air conditioning costs during the summer.
Which is more energy-efficient? A HE front-loading or HE top-loading washing machine?
Answer: Front-loading washing machine
The final decision may come down to whether you don't mind bending down to load your laundry (front-loader) or just tossing those dirty clothes in from the top, as this is a close energy race. HE stands for high efficiency — which means washing machines, in general, have improved a lot in terms of the energy they require.
Front-loaders, though, typically have a greater tub capacity. This means you can run fewer loads to clean the same amount of laundry. Front-loading washing machines also tend to remove more water during the spin cycles, which means less energy is needed to dry the clothes. Top-loading washing machines also use more energy to agitate the clothing.
Is a gas or electric dryer more energy-efficient?
Answer: Gas Dryer- but there are pros and cons!
After the refrigerator, clothes dryers are the second most energy-hungry appliances. It, therefore, makes sense to find the most energy-efficient models on the market to save as much energy and as much money as possible. The average gas dryer uses around 50% less power per load than electric dryers - that's quite a saving! However, one of the cons of a gas dryer is that it costs more at purchase, and recommended to have it professionally installed, which can also be expensive.
The gas dryer does win the most energy-efficient of the two dryers. The choice between a gas or electric dryer can be made very simple. If your house does not have a gas line, then an electric dryer is your best (or only) option. If your home has a gas line, you can choose between either type. Gas Dryers are far more energy-efficient in the long run; however electric dryers are easier on the current budget if purchasing a new one. To learn more, visit Gas or Electric: Which dryer is more energy efficient?
Which is more efficient? A side-by-side refrigerator or stacked refrigerator?
Answer: Stacked/ Top-mounted Freezer
In general, refrigerators with top-mounted freezers (stacked) use less energy than refrigerators with side-mounted or bottom-mounted freezers.
The placement of the freezer in relation to the compressor makes the energy difference. The compressor — which is near the bottom — generates heat. This heat makes it harder for the bottom freezer to achieve and maintain ideal temperatures. The top freezer models are farther away from the compressor and, therefore, can maintain ideal temperatures using less energy. If you are in the market for a new fridge, always look at Energy Star certified products.
Is the air fryer or the crockpot more energy-efficient?
Answer: Crockpot
For years, the crockpot has been a staple in homes, while the air fryer has gained popularity in more recent years. The air fryer may win when it comes to new ways to cook healthy, delicious meals, but the crockpot remains supreme in energy efficiency. The average air fryer wattage is around 1500 watts, and the average crockpot wattage is 300-400 should tell you a lot. Even though an air fryer is often used in short spurts of 10-20 minutes (with the occasional 60-minute chicken roasting session), it still uses more energy than the uber-efficient crockpot. The crockpot is all about ticking over for hours at incredibly low power draw rates.
