11 Small Appliances That Will Help Slash Your Power Bill

Slow cookers are a great way to cook delicious meals while minimizing the energy-related cost of cooking. This is especially true when cooking dishes that take a long time to cook on a traditional stovetop or in a regular oven. That's because of the cost it takes to operate each appliance as well as how long it takes to cook whatever dish you are preparing. 

A traditional electric oven costs a little over 50 cents per hour to operate, while a slow cooker costs only about five cents to use for the same length of time. It can take around four hours to cook a three- to four-pound pot roast in an oven, so cooking a roast this way will add a little over $2 to your energy bill. It'll probably take six to eight hours to cook the same roast in a slow cooker, a task that'll use no more than 40 cents worth of electricity. 

It's also possible to cook a pot roast on a stove in about the same length of time it would take in an oven, but this method will still use more energy than a slow cooker. An electric stove costs just over 35 cents per hour to use, so it's going to cost less to cook a pot roast this way than in an oven, but more than in a slow cooker.

Costing only about 20 cents per hour to operate, microwave ovens use far less energy than full-size ovens. This is less than either a gas or electric oven, as a full-size gas oven uses about 40 cents worth of gas per hour, and, as stated above, a traditional electric oven costs just over 50 cents per hour to operate. That's why it's a good idea to look for ways to utilize a microwave instead of a regular oven when it makes sense to do so, especially if you're looking to minimize your power or gas bill. 

Microwaves are a great option for reheating leftovers, but that's not all they're for. Microwaves can also be used to cook some meals or side dishes, especially when you only need to make a few servings. You could cook a side dish – such as corn on the cob – in the microwave to go with a pot roast prepared in your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker and still use less power than if you cooked both items in your traditional oven at the same time. For more ideas, explore this list of things you didn't know you could cook in a microwave.

Of course, not everything should be cooked in a microwave. To prevent wasting groceries, avoid using this type of small appliance with eggs, anything packaged in single-use plastic, or most takeout containers. 

Air fryers are a trendy and fun way to prepare tasty treats and meals, but they can also help you cut your cooking-related energy expenditures. Air fryers are a great small appliance to use when you're on a quest to cut your cooking-related power bill. That's because air fryers cost just 20 cents per hour to operate, which is half the cost of operating a gas oven and less than half the cost of using one that's electric. Plus, air fryers cook items faster than a regular oven, so you won't have to run your air fryer as long as a traditional oven to cook the same item.

Do you like the idea of increasing your air fryer usage as a way to decrease your power bill, but aren't sure how to get started? It's easier than you might think. There are a lot of great air fryer recipes and tips you can use to master this uber-cool small appliance. Start by building out your next meal plan around the best meats to cook in an air fryer and complete your menu with some of these unique things to make in an air fryer.

Did you know that electric kettles aren't just for making hot tea? When you need hot water, using an electric tea kettle to heat the water is actually more cost-effective and energy-efficient than turning on the tap and letting the water run while you wait for it to get hot. After all, when you run water in your sink long enough to let it heat up, you're driving up your water bill and wasting water, as well as using electricity or gas to heat the water. With an electric tea kettle, you can just add the amount of tap water you need to the container and push a button to turn it on. 

With an electric kettle, there's no need to let the water run to change the temperature, so there's no waste. If you need to heat water but not boil it, simply let the electric kettle do its thing for a few minutes and then turn it off for maximum energy efficiency. Or, if you're making tea or need boiling water for another purpose, such as mixing up just-add-water meals, you can just let the kettle run until it turns off automatically. Because electric tea kettles automatically turn off as soon as they start to boil, you won't end up using more energy than necessary or creating a hot mess due to boiling over, both of which can easily happen when using a stovetop to boil water. 

Window unit air conditioners can also be a cost-efficient way to keep specific rooms cool when it's hot outside, as can wall units (which serve the same purpose but don't have to be installed in a window). Window or wall cooling units can be an alternative to central air conditioning, or they can be used to strategically supplement a central unit. After all, it does cost about 25% less per hour to operate this type of cooling unit than a central air conditioner. 

Window or wall units are a particularly good supplemental air conditioning option for sunrooms, which tend to get quite a bit hotter than other rooms that don't get as much direct sunlight. They can also be great additions to the bedrooms of family members or roommates who like to sleep in very cold temperatures. Rather than using more expensive central air to cool the house down to the level they like, which may cause everyone else to have to bundle up, a window or wall unit can be a great solution. Simply use the central A/C to get the house to a level that's comfortable for most people, then let the folks who like to sleep in an uber-cold room rely on a window or wall A/C — maybe paired with a fan or two — to cool things down even further. 

Using an electric blanket at night is another great way to minimize the use of a central heating system and/or space heaters during the coldest months of the year, a choice that can result in significant savings on your energy bill. Using a king-size electric blanket costs just 15 cents per night (not per hour), and smaller ones cost even less to use. 

Sleeping under an electric blanket means that you can turn the thermostat down when it's time to curl up under the covers, yet stay toasty and warm at a temperature customized to your preference. Because electric blankets help keep you comfortable while reducing the amount of time you need to use more expensive heating options, they provide an energy-efficient way to stay toasty and warm when it's cold outside. 

Note: Electric blankets are not recommended for young children, individuals with significant mobility impairments, people who have problems sensing heat, or those who are not capable of understanding how to safely operate this type of device.