Indiana Appliance Energy Usage Guide
Detailed breakdowns, cost calculations, and maintenance tips for reducing your electric bill while keeping your appliances running efficiently in Indiana.
Indiana Residential Electricity at a Glance
Approximate Indiana Average Rate
$0.14
per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour is the amount of energy used when you run a 1,000-watt appliance for one hour. For example, if you run a 2,000-watt dryer for 30 minutes, you've used 1 kWh.
Your electric meter tracks total kWh usage, and your utility company multiplies that by the rate (around $0.14 in Indiana) to calculate your bill.
Quick math: 1,000 kWh per month × $0.14 = $140 monthly electric bill
Appliance-by-Appliance Energy Breakdown
Refrigerator
Always on, highest total energy user
Amp
1.5–2 amps
Voltage
120V
Wattage
180–240W
Monthly Cost
$18–25
What Wastes Energy
• Dirty condenser coils (increases runtime 20–30%)
• Worn door gaskets (cold air escapes constantly)
• Setting temp too low (<37°F wastes energy)
• Placing in direct sunlight or near heat sources
• Leaving the door open too long or opening it repeatedly
• Blocking interior vents with food containers
Money-Saving Fixes
• Clean coils yearly (saves $30–50/year)
• Check door seal integrity every 6 months
• Set fridge to 37–40°F, freezer to 0–5°F
• Keep it 2/3 full for thermal mass efficiency
• Clean door gaskets regularly so the door seals properly when closed
Washing Machine
Moderate energy, high water heating cost
Amp
10–15 amps
Voltage
120V
Wattage
500–1,200W
Per Load Cost
$0.25–0.50
What Wastes Energy
• Using hot water unnecessarily (water heating = 90% of cost)
• Small loads waste water and energy
• Extra rinse cycles add time and cost
• Unbalanced loads cause longer spin cycles
Money-Saving Fixes
• Use cold water for most loads (saves 50%+)
• Run full loads only
• High-efficiency detergent prevents extra rinses
• Clean dispenser and filter monthly
• Cost estimates assume warm or hot water cycles; using cold water reduces energy use even more.
• Use the detergent type recommended by the manufacturer – wrong detergents can cause extra rinses and strain on the machine.
Electric Range / Oven
High wattage but infrequent use
Amp
30–50 amps
Voltage
240V
Wattage
2,000–5,000W
Per Hour Cost
$0.30–0.70
What Wastes Energy
• Preheating for too long before use
• Opening oven door repeatedly (loses 25°F each time)
• Using oven for small items (use microwave or toaster oven)
• Not using self-cleaning cycle efficiently
• Not using the timer and leaving the oven on after food is finished
Money-Saving Fixes
• Use convection mode (cooks 25% faster)
• Minimize door openings, use oven light
• Turn off oven 5–10 min early (residual heat finishes cooking)
• Use smaller appliances for small jobs
Dryer
Highest wattage, major energy consumer
Amp
20–30 amps
Voltage
240V
Wattage
4,800–5,400W
Per Load Cost
$0.50–0.80
What Wastes Energy
• Clogged lint trap (adds 15–20 min per cycle)
• Blocked dryer vent (longer cycles, overheating inside the dryer, and increased dryer-fire risk)
• Overloading (prevents proper air circulation)
• Running cycles longer than necessary
Money-Saving Fixes
• Clean lint trap after EVERY load
• Professional vent cleaning annually (saves $100–150/year)
• Use moisture sensor setting, not timed
• Separate heavy/light loads for efficiency
Dishwasher
Efficient if used properly
Amp
10 amps
Voltage
120V
Wattage
1,200–1,800W
Per Cycle Cost
$0.20–0.40
What Wastes Energy
• Using heated dry setting (adds 30% to cost)
• Running half-full loads
• Clogged spray arms reduce efficiency
• Pre-rinsing dishes (unnecessary with modern units)
Money-Saving Fixes
• Use air dry or open door to dry naturally
• Run only full loads
• Clean filter and spray arms monthly
• Use energy-saving cycle when available
Microwave
Most efficient cooking appliance
Amp
10 amps
Voltage
120V
Wattage
600–1,200W
Per 10 Min Cost
$0.01–0.03
What Wastes Energy
• Leaving door open after use (wastes light energy)
• Not cleaning interior (reduces efficiency)
• Using for tasks better suited to other appliances
Money-Saving Fixes
• Use for reheating instead of oven (80% more efficient)
• Cover food to retain moisture and heat faster
• Clean regularly for optimal magnetron efficiency
• Use for boiling water (faster than stovetop)
Maintenance That Changes the Numbers
Refrigerator Condenser Coil Cleaning
Annual Savings $20–40
Prevents Repair Cost $600+
Why It Matters
Dirty coils act like a blanket around your compressor, forcing it to work harder and run 20–30% longer to maintain temperature. This extra runtime directly increases your electric bill and wears out the compressor faster.
How to Do It (20 minutes)
Unplug the refrigerator
Locate coils (usually on back or beneath unit)
Use a coil brush or vacuum with brush attachment
Gently brush away dust and debris
Vacuum up loosened dirt
Plug back in and monitor performance
Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning
Annual Savings $100–150
Prevents Repair Cost $300+
Why It Matters
A clogged dryer vent restricts airflow, so the dryer has to run hotter and longer to do the same work. That wastes electricity and can also push lint back into the dryer cabinet, where it builds up around wiring and the heating element. Over time that heat and lint combination can damage components and increase the risk of a dryer fire.
The Math
Clogged vent: 60 min cycle × 5.4 kW × $0.14 = $0.75/load
Clean vent: 40 min cycle × 5.4 kW × $0.14 = $0.50/load
8 loads/week × $0.25 savings × 52 weeks = $104/year saved
Schedule an Energy-Focused Appliance Checkup
Let Ouroboros inspect your appliances and identify energy-wasting issues that are costing you money every month.