My grandmother moved out of her home and into an assisted care facility at the age of 94. Shortly afterward, she invited each of her grandchildren to take anything from the house that reminded us of her life. After grabbing a few old, black, and white photographs, I meandered into the kitchen and found a cabinet full of my grandma's old kitchen "appliances." There were handheld egg beaters, butter churners, potato ricers, stovetop toasters, and everything in between. Many of her old kitchen tools were solid, cast-iron devices that had probably been handed down to her from older generations of my ancestors. Not only were these "tools" remembrances of my family history, but they were also incredibly well-built and useful. It only seemed right to me to gather together that collection of enduring, resilient kitchen tools that could easily last for another generation or two.

We live in a digital, technology-centered age wherein every new "invention" promises more exceptional comforts and less physical work. The day and age of washing clothes by hand or churning butter from milk brought in from the barn might be a thing of the past for most of us. But sometimes we can ask ourselves, do I need an electric lettuce shredder to "free us" from the burden of having to use a knife to cut up our salad?

Many of us associate the past with hardship and adversity. While modern-day society certainly brings with it a series of privileges and comforts, the values of hard work, craftsmanship, and durability have mostly given way to the principle of "planned obsolescence." Here at Rise, we have written extensively about how some aspects of the "smart home" can increase the operational efficiency of our homes. A smart thermostat might be a great way to cut back on household heating bills. However, finding ways to cut back on the sheer number of electric appliances is also a concrete energy efficiency strategy that we can prioritize.  

Can Hand Powered Appliances Save on your Energy Bills? 

To be clear from the outset, we do not recommend that you cut off your electricity connection and invest in torches and candles to light your home. Wood stoves and solar panels might be great ways to heat and power an off-grid home.  

Electricity is a modern-day convenience upon which most of us depend. Despite this fact, it is also essential to understand that our collective electricity demand is crucial in climate change. Electricity production is responsible for around 28 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. One recent report finds that residential energy demand is expected to increase to more than 25 quadrillions BTU/year in 2025 from current levels of about 20 quadrillions BTU/year. The report goes on to say that "the most rapid growth (is) expected for computers, electronic equipment, and appliances." And the reality is that, according to the US Energy Information Administration, 31 percent of the electricity used in households is for "other" uses - small electric devices.

Reducing the number of electric appliances we use in our homes is one way to reduce our residential energy demand. On the other hand, the following human-powered devices offer practical ideas and strategies to cut back on the amount of energy usage in our homes.

The Top Human Powered Household Appliances 

Before the invention of electricity, human ingenuity came up with hundreds of different devices and apparatuses to make life easier. A visit to your antique market will allow you to find dozens of various appliances and tools that are built to last several lifetimes. Most modern-day corporations have shifted their production to electronic gadgets and devices to fulfill consumer demand for the latest technological wonder. However, there are still many companies dedicated to producing handheld, human-powered tools for household use.