|
There are ways you can reduce your energy
costs for almost every appliance you own. We have
tips for various devices in your house:
You can be environmentally friendly as well as
thrifty just by using common sense. Be aware of
the energy you use and you'll be able to use less.
This may be as simple as turning things off when
they're not being used. Here is our list of ways
you can save on all your appliances. They're rated
according to their usefulness on a three-star
system.
Large Appliances
- Clothes Dryer
Don't add wet items to a load that is already
partially dry.
Dry two or more loads in a row to take advantage
of leftover heat.
Clean the dryer filter after each use to maintain
efficiency.
Check the outside vent to make sure it's clean
and that the flapper on the outside hood can
open and close easily.
Don't overdry clothes. This will cause shrinkage
and wrinkling. Use an auto-dry setting if your
dryer has one.
Dry full loads when possible, but don't over-load
your dryer. Small loads waste energy, but loads
that are too large cause wrinkling and uneven
drying.
Hang your clothes outside to dry if the weather
permits. Solar energy is free!
If you're buying a new dryer, look for energy-efficient
features such as a cool-down cycle and a moisture-sensor
control.
- Dishwasher
If your dishwasher has a booster heater, you
can keep your house's water temperature at 120
instead of 140 degrees.
Use energy-saving cycles whenever possible.
Load dishes properly to allow for proper water
circulation. See the manufacturer's instructions.
Use the no-heat air-dry feature on your dishwasher.
Don't pre-rinse dishes. This will waste hot
water. All you need to do is scrape off food
and pour out liquids.
Wash only full loads. Using your dishwasher
once in the evening will use less energy and
water than washing dishes by hand throughout
the day.
- Freezer
Keep your freezer full. It will work more efficiently.
You can freeze plastic containers filled with
water to use up space in your freezer.
If you have a freezer or second refrigerator
that you don't need for a while, turn it off.
You won't do it any harm by turning it off and
on periodically. If you won't be using it at
all, unplug it and take the door off so children
can't get trapped inside.
- Microwave
Your microwave is more efficient than your oven.
Use it whenever possible, especially for smaller
meal portions.
Keep the inside of the microwave clean to help
efficiency. Cook food in its serving dishes
when possible. This saves time and hot water
for dishwashing.
- Range (including oven)
If you have an electric cooktop, turn the elements
off just before you're done cooking. They will
still give off heat for a little while.
If you have a self-cleaning oven, use that feature
while the oven is still hot from having cooked
a meal. Don't use the self-cleaning feature
too frequently, but run the ventilation fan
when you do.
Use the smallest pan you can. Smaller pans need
less energy.
Cook more than one thing at a time in the oven.
Don't open the oven door more frequently than
you have to.
Once a pot is boiling, cover it and turn down
the heat.
Bake in a ceramic or glass dish so you can set
the oven 25 degrees lower than the recipe indicates.
- Refrigerator
Inspect the doors of refrigerators and freezers.
If there is condensation or frost along the
seal, repair or replace it. One trick is to
close the door on a piece of paper; if the paper
pulls out easily, the seal needs attention.
Clean the coils on the back of your refrigerator
regularly. Be sure that air can circulate freely
around the coils.
If your refrigerator
is very old, consider replacing it. Models sold
in 1973 use nearly three times as much electricity
as models sold today.
- Spa/Hot Tub
These are big energy users. You can conserve
energy by covering them with tight-fitting insulating
covers when not in use. For new installations,
insulate well around the sides and bottom.
- Washing Machine
Use lower temperature settings. Use hot water
in the wash cycle only for greasy stains. Look
for laundry detergents that work with cold water
washes. Your rinse cycle can always use cold
water.
Run your washing machine with large loads. Most
people under-load their washers. Remember, washing
one large load will take less energy than washing
two small loads. Check instructions so you don't
over-load your machine, however.
When shopping for a new washer, check the energy
guide labels. New front-loading machines are
now available. These machines save water and
the energy used to heat it.
- Water Heater
Lower your water heater temperature. For most
people, 120 degrees Farenheit is sufficient.
Each 10-degree reduction in water temperature
will save you 3 to 5 percent on your water heating
costs.
Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
This will save you energy and money on your
electric bill, too.
Install an insulating jacket on your existing
water heater (unless the manufacturer advises
against it). This will be more effective on
less efficient models with poorly insulated
water tanks, or where the unit is located in
a cold place.
Insulate pipes. Starting at the water heater,
install insulation on all or several feet of
the hot water pipes. Also insulate the first
couple of feet of the cold water pipe entering
the water heater.
Install heat traps. When installed properly,
heat traps will reduce heat loss to pipes. Some
water heater models have factory-installed heat
traps.
Repair leaky hot water faucets (this may be
as simple as replacing washers). Take short
showers instead of baths. Turn off the faucet
while you're washing or shaving.
Drain a gallon or two of water from the bottom
of the tank to remove sediment build-up that
makes your water heater work less efficiently.
Turn off your electric water heater if you will
be gone for an extended period of time and hot
water will not be needed during your absence.
•Water Heater, Heat Pump
Heat pump water heaters can be two to three
times more efficient than standard water heaters.
To save even more, you can apply the same principles
that are listed for standard water heaters (see
above).
Small Appliances
- Clock
Clocks use very little energy. Don't waste time
worrying about them.
- Coffee Maker
After your coffee is brewed, store it in a thermos
and turn off the coffee maker.
Use a coffee maker with an automatic shut-off
feature. This adds safety and will save energy
that might be wasted if you forgot to turn it
off.
- Food Mixer or Blender
There is little you can do to save energy on
these appliances because they use so little.
To be safe, unplug after every use.
- Fry Pan
Keep the lid on while you're cooking.
- Garbage Disposal
Use
cold water to rinse food. You will use less
hot water and keep the motor cool so it will
last longer. Also, greasy foods will work better
for the grinding action of the disposal system
when they're cold.
- Hair Dryer
Towel hair dry before using the dryer.
Use the lowest temperature setting.
- Iron (hand)
Use an iron with an automatic off feature. This
will mean if you forget to turn it off you'll
still be safe and you won't use much energy.
By taking clothes out of the dryer when they're
slightly damp and hanging them up, you may avoid
needing to iron them at all.
- Sewing Machine
Use "task lighting" to light your work area
rather than lighting up the whole house.
- Toaster/Toaster Oven
Using your toaster oven, microwave or crock
pot is a less expensive way of cooking than
using an oven or stove.
- Vacuum Cleaner
Your vacuum will work better and more efficiently
if the bag isn't too full. Some models have
reusable dust bags that save money over disposable
ones. You can empty reusable bags frequently
to ensure efficiency.
Electronics
- Computer
If you work at home and find your energy bill
rising from your use of computers, fax machines,
copiers, printers etc., keep in mind that in
most cases you are saving more energy on transportation.
Use a model that has an energy-saving, or "sleep"
mode. This means that the computer uses very
little energy during times that it's turned
on but no one is using it.
- Radio-Stereo
Turn off the stereo if no one is listening.
- TV
Turn
the TV off if no one is watching.
Older color TVs keep the tube warmed up all
the time so it can be "instantly on." Newer
models don't need this feature because they
don't take as long to warm up. If your TV stays
warm even when it isn't on, then it's an older
model and can be unplugged so it will use less
electricity when it's turned off.
- VCR
Turn off the VCR if no one is watching the TV.
Heating/Cooling
- Air Conditioner
Keep your thermostat set at about 78 degrees.
(Using ceiling fans can allow you to set it
higher.) Don't air-condition rooms you're not
using. If you're changing the temperature of
your environment, do it at the rate of a degree
or two per day, and change the way you dress
to let your body adjust to the new temperatures.
Use a kitchen exhaust fan to carry away the
heat and moisture from cooking. Avoid cooking
or other heat-producing activities during the
hottest part of the day.
During the cooling season, keep the house closed
tight during the day. Let fresh air come in
at night, either naturally or by using fans.
Use window shades to cut the amount of heat
the sun puts into your house.
When you're buying a new air conditioner, get
advice so that you're sure it's the proper size.
Also, check its efficiency.
Maintain your air conditioners properly to keep
up your efficiency. If you have central air
conditioning with an outdoor condenser, keep
the unit free of grass, leaves and other objects.
The filter on the outdoor unit should be replaced
or cleaned as frequently as once a month.
Make sure your air conditioner is level. Tilting
may cause poor performance and even damage.
- Attic Fan
Caution: do not use an attic fan if you have
gas appliances, since it can cause backdrafting
of dangerous gases. These include carbon monoxide,
which is colorless and odorless.
Attic fans should be used when days are warm
and nights are cool.
Operate your attic fan at night when the temperature
outside drops below the indoor temperature (unless
it is extremely humid).
Keep windows open in areas you want to cool
down.
- Ceiling Fan
In warm weather, use ceiling fans to make higher
temperatures more comfortable by blowing downward.
In the winter, fans should blow up against the
ceiling so they move warm air from the ceiling
down the walls. Using a slow fan speed will
allow the fan to mix the air in the room without
creating a draft.
- Dehumidifier
Reducing humidity (if this is a problem in your
home) may help your home be more comfortable
and may allow you to save on your cooling bill.
You should also be sure that baths, kitchens,
and laundry rooms are properly vented (mold
and mildew indicate that there is a problem).
- Electronic Air Filter
Keep it clean.
Your filter runs when your heating or air conditioning
fan runs. For best air quality results, run
this fan continuously. If you can get satisfactory
results by using it only while heating or cooling,
leave thermostat on automatic mode.
- Furnace
Your heating system needs regular maintenance.
Change your filters in your warm air furnaces
and make sure your radiators or registers aren't
blocked by furniture. Have a heating system
technician clean and tune oil burners once a
year and gas burners every 2 to 3 years.
Make sure all openings to the attic are well
sealed to avoid heat escaping. Insulate your
attic and walls.
Close your chimney damper when the fireplace
is not in use. An open chimney will draw large
amounts of warm air from your house. Also, a
fireplace is not a good source of heat, since
most of the heat goes up the chimney. If you
want to use a fire for heat, get glass fireplace
doors and a log holder with curved hollow pipes
to capture heat, or else get a wood or coal
stove.
Close your drapes at night and during cold weather.
This will provide additional insulation.
Get a new thermostat if yours is inaccurate
and can't be adjusted. Get an automatic set-back
thermostat if you frequently forget to do it
manually.
If your furnace fan thermostat is improperly
set, it may run longer than it has to. One symptom
would be cold air from the warm air registers
after the furnace turns off. On the other side,
heat from the furnace will be wasted if the
fan shuts off too soon. Have a service technician
check the fan thermostat levels.
Keep your thermostat set at the lowest comfortable
level (68 degrees for many people). Don't heat
unused rooms, and turn your thermostat down
at night or when no one is home. Consider using
electric blankets so that you can turn your
thermostat down further at night.
- Heater, Portable
Move furniture away from blocking the flow of
warm air coming from the heater.
- Humidifier
Increasing humidity (if this is a problem in
your home) may help your home to be more comfortable
and is relatively inexpensive.
- Oscillating Fan
Use fans to circulate the air in hot weather.
This will be less expensive than added air conditioning.
- Window Fan
Use window fans when outdoor air is cooler than
indoor air. Do not bring in too much outside
air if it is extremely humid.
Miscellaneous
- Automatic Blanket
If you frequently forget to turn off your electric
blanket in the morning, purchase a timer for
it. Also, putting another blanket or quilt over
the electric blanket may save energy, but check
the instructions to see whether the manufacturer
warns against this.
- Car Engine Heater
Block heaters are big energy users. Use less
energy by using it only for half an hour before
you need to use your car. If you don't like
going out in the morning's cold, you can use
a timer to switch it on automatically.
- Lighting
Fluorescent lights give more light and use less
electricity than incandescent bulbs used for
the same purpose. Incandescent bulbs, however,
are better for places where they will be switched
off and on frequently. Try fluorescent lights
in kitchens, grooming areas of dressing rooms
and bathrooms, cove and valance lighting, laundry
rooms and reading or work rooms.
Clean all bulbs and fixtures regularly so that
dirt doesn't block your light.
Efficiency increases with wattage. For example,
one 100-watt bulb produces approximately the
same amount of light that two 60-watt bulbs
do. However, you should use only the wattage
that you need to have enough light.
Paint your walls a light color so they'll reflect
light back into the room.
Use low wattage night-light bulbs. A 4-watt
clear bulb will put out the same light as a
7-watt tinted bulb.
Avoid rheostat dimmers, because they use the
same amount of electricity when they are dimmed.
Instead, use electronic solid-state dimmer switches.
Don't leave outdoor lights on during the day.
Control them with a daylight sensor or a timer.
- Waterbed Heater
Your waterbed can be the biggest energy user
in your house -- even bigger than the refrigerator
and water heater! Make your bed with a comforter
to save more than 30 percent; insulate the sides
of the bed to save more than 10 percent. You
can also put the waterbed heater on a timer
so it doesn't waste energy during the day.
- Water Pump
If unit operates continuously or very often,
you should check to be sure that the pressure
tank is not water-logged.
|
