What Are the Biggest Power Hogs in Your Home?

Ever feel like your electric bill is growing faster than your paycheck? You yell at your kids to turn off their bedroom lights like you’re single-handedly saving the power grid, to find out it barely makes a dent. The real “power hogs” in your home are the big appliances quietly chewing through electricity when no one’s looking.

At Integra Electrical, we work in homes all across the Des Moines area, and we see firsthand which appliances draw the most juice. Some of them might surprise you. Others you probably already suspect but underestimate just how much they cost you to run.

Before the end of this article, you will know:

• What wattage is
• The biggest power hogs in your home
• Simple ways to cut waste without giving up comfort.

Understanding Wattage

When we talk about “wattage,” we’re really talking about how much power something is using in the moment. A phone charger might use just 5 watts, while an oven can require 5,000 watts or more. Your utility bill measures this as kilowatt-hours (kWh), which simply means the total watts consumed over time.

Here’s why that matters: a 1,500-watt space heater running for one hour uses 1.5 kWh of energy. To figure out your own usage, you can use a simple formula:

Watts ÷ 1,000 × Hours Used = kWh

And if you want to know the cost, just multiply your result by your utility’s rate (shown on your electric bill as “Cost per kWh”).

 At an average rate of 15 cents per kWh, that’s about 23 cents for just one hour. Now imagine running it every evening through winter, the costs add up fast.

And it’s not only about money. High-wattage appliances place a heavy demand on your home’s wiring and breaker panel. If your system isn’t sized or maintained for the load, you could see tripped breakers, overheated wires, or unnecessary wear on equipment.

The Biggest Power Hogs in Your Home

#1- HVAC Systems (Heating & Cooling)

No surprise here, heating and cooling is the heavyweight champ of energy use. Central AC units typically draw 2,000 to 5,000 watts, while electric furnaces can spike over 10,000 watts. Even a single space heater averages 1,500 watts, and those often get left running for hours. Because these systems work for long stretches at high wattage, they dominate your electric bill and put heavy strain on your wiring and breaker panel.

#3 -Water Heaters

Hot showers, laundry, dishes, your water heater is working behind the scenes every day. A traditional tank-style heater usually runs at 4,000–5,000 watts. Tankless heaters use less overall but draw massive wattage in short bursts, sometimes 15,000 watts or more. Either way, heating water accounts for a big slice of household energy use, and older units tend to work harder (and cost more) than newer, efficient models.

#2 - Laundry Machines (and Other Sneaky Energy Users)

Clothes dryers are among the most watt-hungry appliances at 3,000–5,000 watts per load, and clogged vents make them run longer while raising fire risk. Washers use less (500–1,200 watts), but together with frequent dryer cycles, laundry quickly becomes a major energy drain. Add in everyday devices like vacuums, TVs, gaming systems, and old incandescent bulbs, and those smaller loads of energy can still quietly pile onto your bill.

#4 - Kitchen Appliances and Refrigeration

The kitchen is one of the biggest energy users in any home. Ovens and stovetops can draw 3,000 watts or more, microwaves 1,000–1,500, and dishwashers over 1,200 watts when drying. Add in refrigerators and freezers running 24/7 at 100–800 watts per cycle, and the demand adds up fast, especially with older units or an extra freezer in the garage. Cooking daily and running multiple appliances makes the kitchen a major driver of your bill, but upgrading to Energy Star models can help cut costs.

Simple Ways to Cut Wattage Waste

You don’t have to give up hot showers or stop using your oven to get a handle on power hogs. A few small changes can make a big difference:

1. Use appliances smarter.
   Run your dishwasher and laundry in full loads instead of half loads. Skip “standby” mode on electronics and actually power them down. And maybe resist the urge to run the dryer for just one hoodie, it’s a 3,000-watt machine, not your personal hairdryer.
   
   
2. Maintain what you’ve got.
   Clean your dryer vent, change HVAC filters, and vacuum refrigerator coils. Appliances that can “breathe” don’t have to fight as hard to do their job. Think of it like giving your fridge a spa day, it runs happier when it can actually breathe.
   
   
3. Upgrade to efficiency.
   Energy Star–rated fridges, washers, and AC units sip less power than their older cousins. The upfront cost can sting, but the savings stack up month after month.
   
   
4. Get smart about monitoring.
   Smart plugs, energy monitors, or even a smart panel can show you exactly which devices are hogging power in real time. It’s like catching the culprit red-handed—except the thief is your toaster.

5. Think about timing.
   If your utility charges more during “peak hours,” shifting heavy-use chores like laundry or dishwashing to off-peak times can trim the bill without changing your routine. Your dryer doesn’t care if it’s 2 p.m. or 8 p.m., it just wants to hog power in peace.

At the end of the day, cutting back isn’t about living without the things you love. It’s about making your home safer, more efficient, and more affordable. If you’re not sure whether your panel or wiring is ready for the load, scheduling a quick home electrical evaluation is the simplest way to keep those power hogs in check.

Next Steps: 

If you’re seeing signs of energy waste, or just tired of sky-high bills, knowing which appliances are the biggest power hogs is only step one. To take real control over your electric costs, read our article on how to lower your electrical bill. It’s packed with smart, simple tips that go beyond just flipping off the lights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What uses the most electricity in Iowa homes?

Heating and cooling systems use the most electricity, especially electric furnaces and central air during Iowa’s extreme seasons.

How can I tell if my electrical panel is overloaded?

Frequent breaker trips, buzzing sounds, or lights that dim when appliances start are key signs your panel may need an upgrade.

Are older Des Moines homes more at risk for electrical issues?

Yes. Many homes built before the 1980s weren’t designed for modern energy loads and could have outdated wiring or undersized panels.

How much does a space heater cost to run in winter?

About 23 cents per hour at Iowa’s average electricity rate. That adds up fast with daily use during cold months.

Do old fridges and garage freezers really waste electricity?

Absolutely. Older models can cost $150–$300 more per year to run compared to newer Energy Star appliances.