Appliance tips

In the kitchen

Don’t place your refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight, or near any source of warm air, such as the range, dishwasher, or heating ducts.
Refrigerators work more efficiently when food is arranged to allow air to circulate. However freezers work more efficiently when they are full.
A refrigerator's temperature control should be between 36º and 38ºF; a freezer's between 0º and 5ºF.
Clean the refrigerator condenser coils and evaporator pan every three months.
Worn, dirty, cracked, or poor fitting refrigerator door gaskets should be replaced to maintain top efficiency.
Up to 25 percent of an oven’s heat can be lost every time the door is opened.
Microwaves cook foods faster and at lower wattages, so they often will use less energy than conventional ranges and ovens.

Around the home

If you leave a room, turn off any appliances that are in use.
Home office equipment, such as a copier or a fax machine, still uses energy even in idle mode. Energy efficient models can help you get the most out of your equipment without increasing your energy use.

Laundry

Always try to run full loads of clothes in the washer and dryer.
Don’t overload your dryer because clothes will take longer to dry, plus, overloading is hard on the dryer.
Clean dryer filters after every use. Clogged filters mean high operating costs.
When washing clothes, use cold or warm water whenever possible. For rinsing, cold water is as effective as hot or warm water.

Bed and bath

Showers generally use less hot water than baths. Water-saving showerheads can result in greater hot water savings.
Waterbeds should be covered, preferably with a comforter, when not in use.
Locate your waterbed in a spot where the sun can shine on it and help keep the water warm.

Heating and cooling

The better your home is insulated, the less your heating and cooling system will have to work.
You can easily save energy all year round by installing a programmable thermostat.
Ceiling fans can provide substantial savings on energy, and they use about the same electricity as a 100-watt light bulb. In mild weather, they offer a low cost alternative to air conditioning.

(05/31/07)