This appliance in your home uses as much electricity as 65 refrigerators running at the same time.
It might seem like a normal part of the household routine, but there is a device that, when turned on, can use as much electricity as running 65 refrigerators at once.
The clothes dryer is a common household appliance, not a piece of industrial equipment or complicated technology. Its frequent use, especially during periods of high energy consumption, can significantly impact electricity grids and household bills.
For many years it was believed that the refrigerator was the main cause of energy consumption in homes, but recent studies have revealed a different truth.
Modern dryers, depending on the model and intensity of use, can account for up to 6% of a home's total electricity consumption, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy.
This percentage may seem low, but it doubles when millions of households run their dryers at the same time, generating what experts call "peak loads"—moments when energy demand is so high that grids have to operate at full capacity, with costs then reflected in users' bills.
But the clothes dryer is not the only silent enemy of energy consumption, as there are various devices that continue to use electricity even when switched off once they are plugged into a power outlet.
This phenomenon, known as "ghost power," can represent "up to 10% of your annual electricity consumption," and worryingly, depending on the number of people in the home, this consumption can reach 26%, according to a study conducted by the University of North Texas.
Chargers, televisions, microwave ovens, video game consoles, and digital receivers are among the devices that consume energy even when not in use. Collectively, these devices have a significant economic impact.