There is a lot of talk about upgrading your appliances to ones that are Energy Star[Symbol] certified in order to save energy. However, even with federal tax credits for consumer energy efficient products and the many utility rebates that are being offered right now, replacement may be out of your budget and not feasible. Don’t fret - there are many things that you can do with your existing appliances in order for them to be more energy efficient, saving you energy and money.
Follow these tips to save energy in all areas of your home:
Throughout your home:
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Almost all appliances draw power when shut off, called phantom load. According to the Department of Energy, “75% of the electricity used to power home electronics and appliances is consumed while the products are turned off.” Use power strips or simply unplug appliances when not in use.
In the kitchen:
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Run your dishwasher only when it is full, but make sure that it is loaded in a way that the water can circulate. And try to limit the amount of serve ware you use throughout the day. I used to be guilty of using several glasses in one night, and filling up my dishwasher quickly. Now, I just rinse my glass when I pour myself a different drink.
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When baking, don’t bother pre-heating your oven. Most ovens and recipes don’t need it. You can also shut off the oven five to ten minutes before your dish is done. The heat already in the oven will finish cooking it. When using the stovetop, use the right sized coil for your pan. For smaller dishes, use a microwave or a toaster oven. In the summertime, this will also help with keeping your home cool.
In the laundry room:
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Use cold water to wash. According to the Department of Energy, as much as 90 percent of the energy consumed by washing machines goes into heating the water. Unless you have heavily soiled laundry (which could be cleaned by pre-treating with spot cleaner), cold is very effective in cleaning your laundry. Any worry about having to use hot water to kill bed mites or the like can be eliminated in the dryer. Wash cool; dry hot.
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In addition to cleaning your lint screen after each dryer use, also wash it every month or so with hot, soapy water and a toothbrush. Many dry fabric softener sheets leave a residue behind, which stops or limits the flow of hot air. Besides saving energy for each load that you dry, you can save the dryer itself – and with that, lots of money – by extending the life of the heating coil.
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Another way to save energy while drying is to use the automatic setting rather than the timed setting on your dryer. The dryer will sense when the clothes are dry and shut off, typically saving 15 percent on your energy bill. If you want to take it one step further, separate your clothes by thickness and dry heavy items like towels and jeans separate from your lighter-weight clothes.
Home heating and air conditioning:
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To save on A/C costs in the summertime, turn up your thermostat to as high as possible – 78 degrees when you are home and higher when you are out. If it does get cool at night, open up your home at this time. In the morning, keep the drapes closed during the day to keep out the heat. If you use a ceiling fan, try to up the temperature a couple more degrees. These fans use energy, but they do make you feel cooler. Also, try to shut off as many electrical appliances as possible, as many of them emit heat.
More helpful links:
--Treena Colby
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