Helpful

Energy Saving Tips

(for some kitchen appliances, etc.  -- see details below)

Go to tips for:
Cooking
Electronics
Heating and cooling
Lighting
Structural -
(building, plumbing; plus outdoor, decorative)
Vacations
Washer and dryer
 

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Dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer,
hot water heater, personal needs, etc.

1. Don’t let the hot water run while shaving, etc.

2. Check and vacuum your refrigerator coils at least twice a year.  Dirty coils make your refrigerator work harder than necessary.

3. Keep the refrigerator stocked; it takes more energy to cool an empty fridge. But don’t crowd the food. Too many dishes obstruct air circulation.

4. Use the right amount of detergent. Too much or too little will decrease your washer’s efficiency.

5. When you replace a home appliance, the more energy-efficient models are sometimes more expensive to buy, but save money on energy over time.

6. When hand washing dishes, avoid running hot water continuously. Use a sink stopper or dishpan to hold water.

7. Both refrigerators and freezers operate at peak efficiency when they are full.

8. Do you know you may have a heater running inside your refrigerator? If you have a “butter conditioner” consider turning it off - the butter conditioner is a little heater inside your refrigerator.

9. Placement of the refrigerator is very important. Direct sunlight and close contact with hot appliances will make the compressor work harder.

10. Don’t suffocate your refrigerator. Because most refrigerators eject heat from the bottom and/or back, they need adequate clearance to allow sufficient airflow. While no specific studies have been done to calculate the optimum clearance space, one general rule-of-thumb is to double the space recommended by manufacturers for refrigerator installation. Another rule-of-thumb is to allow 2 inches of airflow around the refrigerator.

11. Don't keep that old, inefficient fridge running day and night in the garage for those few occasions when you need extra refreshments. A 15-year-old refrigerator could cost $100-$150 per year.

12. Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at 0°F. To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.

13. Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running. Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.

14. Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

15. Move your refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils once a year unless you have a no-clean condenser model. Your refrigerator will run for shorter periods with clean coils.

16. Always operate a dishwasher with a full load and select an energy saving cycle whenever possible. The dishwasher uses the same amount of water whether it is half full or completely full. It also uses less water and energy than washing them in the sink.

17. Don't pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Scrape-off food and empty liquids. Soaking or prewashing is generally recommended in cases of burned-on or dried-on food. If you must rinse dishes, use cold water.

18. Load dishes according to manufacturers instructions and allow for proper water circulation. Don't use the "rinse hold" on your machine for just a few soiled dishes. It uses 3 to 7 gallons of hot water each time you use it. Let your dishes air dry; if you don't have an automatic air-dry switch on the dishwasher, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open a little so the dishes will dry faster.

19. Keep the doors closed on your refrigerator as much as possible and make sure they are closed tightly. To ensure proper cooling of its contents, don't crowd food items. Too many dishes obstruct air circulation. Replace paper wrappings on food items with aluminum foil or plastic wrap for more efficient cooling and freezing. Paper is an insulator. Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder. Depending on the kinds of foods you store in your refrigerator, consider placing a plastic-covered cardboard in front of the lower shelves (to prevent cold air from seeping out as quickly when the door is opened). Leave a small space at the sides, and place paper towel at the bottom to prevent moisture and rust.

20. Allow foods to cool in refrigerator prior to freezing. For proper food safety, food should be refrigerated within two hours of being cooked. Leave container covers cracked open so food cools faster then cover tightly when cooled.

21. Use cold water when running the garbage disposal.

22. Use bath and kitchen fans sparingly when the air conditioner is operating to avoid pulling warm, moist air into your home.

23. Drain a quart of water from your hot water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that prevents heat transfer and lowers the unit's efficiency.

24. Take more showers than baths. Baths use the most hot water in an average household. You use 15 to 25 gallons of hot water for a bath and less than 10 gallons for a 5-minute shower.