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Carbon Footprint and Energy Usage of Household Appliances

This investigation aims to determine the energy consumption and carbon footprint of common household appliances. By calculating energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and converting that into carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, we can assess which appliances contribute most significantly to a household’s environmental impact.

Methodology

01

 Appliance Selection
A list of commonly used appliances was compiled

  • Refrigerator
  • Washing machine
  • Clothes dryer
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Electric oven
  • Air conditioner
  • Television
  • Laptop
02

Energy Usage Calculation

The power consumption (in watts) for each appliance was obtained from manufacturer specifications or average estimates. Energy use was calculated using the formula:

03

Carbon Emissions Estimation

Using an average emission factor of 0.367 kg CO₂/kWh (typical for U.S. electricity generation),[1] carbon emissions were calculated:

CO2 Emissions (kg)=Energy (kWh) ⋅ 0.367

Sample Appliance Calculation

Average Power Consumption:

200 W

Average Time of Usage:

24 hours/day × 365 days/year = 8,760 hours/year

Energy Usage:

Carbon Emissions:

1752⋅0.367=642.984 kg CO2/year

Results

Appliance Power (W) Time Used (hr/year) Energy (kWh/year) CO₂ Emissions (kg/year)
Refrigerator[2]
200
8760
1752
642.984
Dryer[3,4]
3500
141.5
495.25
181.75675
Washing Machine[5,6]
900
104
93.6
34.3512
Dishwasher[7,8]
1200
416
499.2
183.2064
Air Conditioner[9]
1000
2190
2190
803.73
Microwave[11]
800
91.25
73
26.791
Laptop[12,13]
50
1095
54.75
20.09325
Television[14]
150
1460
219
80.373

Note: These values are approximate and based on average usage patterns.

Analysis

  • Air conditioners and refrigerators are among the largest contributors to household energy use and carbon emissions due to either their high power draw (A/C) or continuous operation (fridge).
  • Dryers and dishwashers are also significant, especially if used frequently
  • Smaller devices like laptops and microwaves, while lower in absolute emissions, can still add up over time, especially with idle or standby power consumption.
  • Behavioral adjustments, such as reducing usage time or operating appliances away from peak hours, can result in noticeable energy savings.

Conclusions

This analysis reveals the impact of household appliances on energy consumption and carbon emissions. Large devices like air conditioners are expected contributors, but even moderate-use items like dishwashers and dryers can play a significant role in emissions. With increased awareness, households can reduce their carbon footprint through a combination of upgrading to energy-efficient models, minimizing unnecessary usage, and practicing smart energy habits.

 

Reducing residential emissions is a practical and impactful step toward mitigating climate change, starting right at home.

References

  1. U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2020, December 15). How much carbon dioxide is produced per kilowatthour of U.S. electricity generation? Eia.gov; U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=74&t=11
  2. Refrigerator Wattage Guidelines – How Many Watts Does Your Refrigerator Use? (n.d.). Coast Appliances. https://www.coastappliances.ca/blogs/learn/how-many-watts-does-a-refrigerator-use
  3. ‌Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Much Electricity Does a Dryer Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-clothes-dryer-use/
  4. ‌ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report Residential Clothes Dryers. (2011). https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/ENERGY_STAR_Scoping_Report_Residential_Clothes_Dryers.pdf
  5. ‌Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Many Watts Does A Washing Machine Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-washing-machine-use/
  6. ‌Washing machines’ intensity of use. (2024, November 28). Europa.eu. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/circularity/sectoral-modules/product-lifespans/evolution-in-the-average-number-of-washing-cycles-per-washing-machine-in-eu-intensity-of-use
  7. ‌How Much Energy Does a Dishwasher Use? (2023). Direct Energy. https://www.directenergy.com/en/learn/home-energy-management/how-much-energy-dishwasher-use
  8. ‌How Long Do Dishwashers Last? (n.d.). Mr. Appliance. https://www.mrappliance.com/blog/2019/october/how-long-do-dishwashers-last-will-yours-croak-so/
  9. ‌Almerini, A. (2022, July 15). How Many Watts Does An AC Use? Solarreviews.com; Solar Reviews. https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-an-ac-use
  10. ‌How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use? – EnergyBot. (n.d.). Www.energybot.com. https://www.energybot.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-a-microwave-use.html
  11. ‌Nexamp. (2025, February 13). How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use? Understanding Microwave Watts, Amps, and Energy Efficiency. Nexamp.com; Nexamp. https://www.nexamp.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-a-microwave-use
  12. ‌How Many Watts Does A Laptop Use: MacBook, Dell, Asus and More [With Data Table]. (2023, May 18). Jackery. https://www.jackery.com/blogs/knowledge/how-many-watts-a-laptop-uses
  13. ‌Zauderer, S. (2023, July 21). Average Screen Time Statistics (2023). Cross River Therapy. https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/research/screen-time-statistics
  14. ‌Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Many Watts Does a TV Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-tv-use/

References

  1. U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2020, December 15). How much carbon dioxide is produced per kilowatthour of U.S. electricity generation? Eia.gov; U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=74&t=11
  2. Refrigerator Wattage Guidelines – How Many Watts Does Your Refrigerator Use? (n.d.). Coast Appliances. https://www.coastappliances.ca/blogs/learn/how-many-watts-does-a-refrigerator-use
  3. ‌Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Much Electricity Does a Dryer Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-clothes-dryer-use/
  4. ‌ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report Residential Clothes Dryers. (2011). https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/ENERGY_STAR_Scoping_Report_Residential_Clothes_Dryers.pdf
  5. ‌Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Many Watts Does A Washing Machine Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-washing-machine-use/
  6. ‌Washing machines’ intensity of use. (2024, November 28). Europa.eu. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/circularity/sectoral-modules/product-lifespans/evolution-in-the-average-number-of-washing-cycles-per-washing-machine-in-eu-intensity-of-use
  7. ‌How Much Energy Does a Dishwasher Use? (2023). Direct Energy. https://www.directenergy.com/en/learn/home-energy-management/how-much-energy-dishwasher-use
  8. ‌How Long Do Dishwashers Last? (n.d.). Mr. Appliance. https://www.mrappliance.com/blog/2019/october/how-long-do-dishwashers-last-will-yours-croak-so/
  9. ‌Almerini, A. (2022, July 15). How Many Watts Does An AC Use? Solarreviews.com; Solar Reviews. https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-an-ac-use
  10. ‌How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use? – EnergyBot. (n.d.). Www.energybot.com. https://www.energybot.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-a-microwave-use.html
  11. ‌Nexamp. (2025, February 13). How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use? Understanding Microwave Watts, Amps, and Energy Efficiency. Nexamp.com; Nexamp. https://www.nexamp.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-a-microwave-use
  12. ‌How Many Watts Does A Laptop Use: MacBook, Dell, Asus and More [With Data Table]. (2023, May 18). Jackery. https://www.jackery.com/blogs/knowledge/how-many-watts-a-laptop-uses
  13. ‌Zauderer, S. (2023, July 21). Average Screen Time Statistics (2023). Cross River Therapy. https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/research/screen-time-statistics
  14. ‌Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Many Watts Does a TV Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-tv-use/
01

U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2020, December 15). How much carbon dioxide is produced per kilowatthour of U.S. electricity generation? Eia.gov; U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/tools /faqs /faq.php?id=74&t=11

02

Refrigerator Wattage Guidelines – How Many Watts Does Your Refrigerator Use? (n.d.). Coast Appliances. https://www.coastappliances.ca/blogs /learn/how-many-watts- does-a-refrigerator-use

03

‌Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Much Electricity Does a Dryer Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-clothes-dryer-use/

04

‌ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report Residential Clothes Dryers. (2011). https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/ document/ENERGY_STAR_Scoping_Report_Residential_ Clothes _Dryers.pdf

05

Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Many Watts Does A Washing Machine Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-washing-machine-use/

06

‌Washing machines’ intensity of use. (2024, November 28). Europa.eu. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/circularity/sectoral-modules/product-lifespans/evolution-in-the-average-number-of-washing-cycles-per-washing-machine-in-eu-intensity-of-use

07

How Much Energy Does a Dishwasher Use? (2023). Direct Energy. https://www.directenergy.com/en/learn/home-energy-management/how-much-energy-dishwasher-use

08

How Long Do Dishwashers Last? (n.d.). Mr. Appliance. https://www.mrappliance.com/blog/2019/october/how-long-do-dishwashers-last-will-yours-croak-so/

09

‌Almerini, A. (2022, July 15). How Many Watts Does An AC Use? Solarreviews.com; Solar Reviews. https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-an-ac-use

10

‌How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use? – EnergyBot. (n.d.). Www.energybot.com. https://www.energybot.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-a-microwave-use.html

11

Nexamp. (2025, February 13). How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use? Understanding Microwave Watts, Amps, and Energy Efficiency. Nexamp.com; Nexamp. https://www.nexamp.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-a-microwave-use

12

How Many Watts Does A Laptop Use: MacBook, Dell, Asus and More [With Data Table]. (2023, May 18). Jackery. https://www.jackery.com/blogs/knowledge/how-many-watts-a-laptop-uses

13

‌Zauderer, S. (2023, July 21). Average Screen Time Statistics (2023). Cross River Therapy. https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/research/screen-time-statistics

14

Marsh, J. (2023, September 19). How Many Watts Does a TV Use? EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/electricity/house-watts/how-many-watts-does-a-tv-use/

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