Wondering how much power your home really needs? Whether you're considering solar, upgrading appliances, or just trying to lower your electricity bills, understanding your home's power usage is the first step. Let's break down what the average house uses and help you figure out your specific needs.

Understanding your home's daily power needs doesn't have to be complicated. While every home is different, there are common patterns that can help you make sense of your energy use.

The Average Home: A Powerhouse of Consumption

While every home is unique, understanding what drives your power usage will help you make smarter energy decisions. Here are the key factors that influence your home's electricity consumption:

1. House Size:

Bigger homes naturally need more power for lighting and cooling throughout their spaces.

2. Age of Your Home:

Older homes usually use more electricity due to poor insulation and less efficient appliances.

3. Number of People: 

More people living under one roof usually means more energy consumed for things like cooking, laundry, and electronics. 

4. Climate: 

Your local climate plays a big role in your energy usage. In fact, heating and cooling account for over half of a household’s energy consumption, and how much you need to heat or cool your home will vary greatly by region. For example, the average Santa Rosa home uses about 923.00  kWh per month, while an average home in Corona uses 1,316.00 kWh. That means the average homeowner in Corona is using 35% more energy than homeowners in Santa Rosa.

5. Appliances: 

Energy-hungry appliances like central air conditioners, refrigerators, electric dryers, pool pumps, and EV chargers can drastically increase your wattage needs.

6. Lifestyle: 

Your daily habits and routine have a big impact on how much energy you use throughout the day. For example, if you work from home and like to cook, you’ll use more energy than someone who’s out and about all day and eats out often. In fact, working from home can increase your energy usage by more than 20%. 

Chart Source: IEA (2020), Average change in energy demand and CO2 emissions from one day of home working for a single household with a car commute, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/average-change-in-energy-demand-and-co2-emissions-from-one-day-of-home-working-for-a-single-household-with-a-car-commute, Licence: CC BY 4.0

How Much Power Do Appliances Use?

Your home is full of devices that draw power day and night–even when you're not using them. While some use a little, others can significantly impact your energy bills. With the average price of electricity in California of 36 ¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh), it’s easy to see how every device can drive up your bill. Your utility company bills you in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which measures energy used over time, but appliance needs are measured in watts (W), which shows how much power they demand when running. 

Let's take a look at how much power common household appliances typically need. These averages will help you understand which appliances use the most electricity in your home:

Kitchen:

From making your morning coffee to cooking dinner, your kitchen uses a lot of power throughout the day. Here's what typical kitchen appliances need:

• Dishwasher: 1200–1500 watts
• Microwave: 600–1000 watts
• Oven: 2150 watts
• Refrigerator: 150–400 watts

While living room devices might use less power individually, they often run for longer periods, especially when you’re binge-watching your favorite TV show:

• Laptop: 50–100 watts
• Flat-screen TV: 60–115 watts
• Portable fan heater: 2000–3000 watts

Laundry Room:

Laundry is more than just a chore; it takes a substantial amount of power to get your clothes cleaned:

• Washing machine: 500 watts
• Dryer: 1000–4000 watts

Central Heating and Cooling Systems:

Most of us don't think about our heating and cooling until we get our bill, but keeping your home at a comfortable temperature is usually what drives up your monthly energy bill the most:

• Central heating furnace: 340 watts
• Central air conditioner: 1000–4000 watts
• Window AC unit: 900–1440 watts

Understanding Your Energy Needs

If you want to get a better idea of how much energy your household is actually using, there are few things you can do.

Do the Math

If you're up for a little number crunching, use this simple formula to estimate your usage. 

Total Watts = (Average Appliance Wattage x Estimated Daily Usage Hours) + (Number of Appliances x Average Wattage)

Remember: This is just a starting point. Your actual usage will vary based on your specific appliances and exact hours of use.

Use Online Tools

If math isn’t your strong suit, online wattage calculators make things easier. These modern tools take into account your house size, number of occupants, and appliances. They then churn out an estimated total wattage requirement, giving you a quick snapshot of your home’s energy needs.

They’re great for comparing potential appliance purchases or making preliminary home renovation decisions. However, remember that these estimates can be less accurate than a professional audit and might not capture individual usage patterns or unique home characteristics.

Track Your Peak Energy Use

Understanding when your home uses the most electricity can help you make smarter energy choices and reduce your bills. A peak usage analysis can show you exactly which appliances are driving up your energy consumption during high-demand hours. There are several user-friendly tools that make tracking your energy usage simple. You can use smart meters or power monitoring devices that connect to your electrical panel or energy monitoring apps that show real-time consumption for your home. With real-time insights into your electricity consumption, you can make informed decisions on when to run appliances or adjust your daily habits. 

Take Inventory of Your Appliances

Going through every electrical appliance in your home, from the refrigerator to your phone charger, might seem tedious, but it’s a great way to get a clear picture of your energy consumption. You can often find wattage ratings on appliance labels or manufacturer websites. This detailed breakdown often reveals the hidden energy costs of forgotten devices left plugged in, standby functions (also known as phantom loads, where devices continue to draw power even when turned off, which can add up over time and increase your electricity bill), and older appliances that might be ready for an upgrade. 

Consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. Switching to modern, energy-efficient models is an excellent first step and can lower your energy bill right away. In fact, the Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that the average household can save up to $450 annually by replacing older appliances with energy-efficient ones. 

Take Control of Your Home’s Energy Future

Now that you know more about your home's wattage needs and can make informed decisions about powering your home, it’s time to think about long-term solutions. Living in California means dealing with some of the highest electricity rates in the country, with rate hikes becoming increasingly common alongside frequent power outages. 

While simple solutions like switching to energy-efficient appliances will help reduce your energy bill, many Californian homeowners don’t want to rely on the utility company and their rising rates. Solar power combined with battery storage allows homeowners to generate their own clean electricity, cut down or even eliminate monthly bills, and keep their homes running during outages. For more insight, take a look at our guide to learn why solar batteries are the best choice for energy independence. If you’re looking into your options, take some time to check out the best solar batteries to see what fits your needs. The Inflation Reduction Act makes this transition even easier by providing significant tax credits and incentives for solar installations, batteries, and other sustainable upgrades. 

At Citadel Roofing & Solar, we understand the California energy landscape. And we know how overwhelming it can be to find a trustworthy installer. That’s why we’re proud to be recognized as one of the top solar companies in the nation. We’re a local company with over 30 years of experience, and we’ve helped countless homeowners across the Golden State transition to solar power, install battery storage, and save money on their energy bills. Our in-house team handles every step of the process–from custom system design to permits and installation–making your transition to solar simple and stress-free. At Citadel, we make sure every detail is covered, including how roof and solar warranties work together to protect your investment.  

Let's put California's sunshine to work for you. If you’re ready to explore solar options and take control of your home’s energy, our experts are here to help. Our team will evaluate your unique energy needs and design a custom solar system that maximizes your savings. As California's #1 Solar & Storage Installer, we make going solar simple. Contact us today for a free consultation.