|
Major Appliances
How many major electrical appliances can you count in your home? Refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, stove and oven, washer, dryer, microwave. Most of these get used everyday and some are on non-stop.
As with electronics, look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label for best efficiency. Here are some other simple ways to save energy when you use these items:
Refrigerator/Freezer
- Shut the refrigerator and freezer doors immediately after use.
- Close the door on a dollar bill, if it pulls out easily you may need to replace the gasket
- Keep the refrigerator temperature at 37-40 degrees F, the freezer at 0-5 degrees F
- Regularly sweep or vacuum the coils on the back and bottom of the unit
- Don't overcrowd food items, leave room for air to circulate
- Regularly defrost if needed - frost should not build up more than 1/4 inch
Stove and Oven
- Keep preheating to a minumum - it's usually not necessary unless baking breads or pastries
- Use the right pans for the right size burner to avoid wasting heat
- Use the microwave or toaster oven whenever possible - they're much more efficient and cook faster (less electricity)
- Make sure oven door gasket is tight and in good condition
- Cook with a pressure cooker whenever possible - less cooking time cuts energy use
- Use glass or ceramic pans in the oven which allows you to lower the temperature by 25% F
Dishwasher
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it
- Use shorter or lighter wash cycles when you can
- Avoid using the machine's pre-rinse cycle when possible
- Open the door at the end of the cycle to air dry rather than use the heated dryer
Washer and Dryer
- Adjust your washing cycle to match the load
- Wash full loads but be careful not to overload, which makes it work harder
- Use the cold water cycle whenever possible to reduce load on water heater
- Use the low heat setting on the dryer when you can
- Clean the dryer's lint filter regularly - after each load is best
- Make sure the dryer is properly vented to the outside
Return to Energy House
|
