Appliance Savings

The appliances we use, from the refrigerator to the TV’s we watch, consume 25% of the energy used around the home.  Some of the appliances we use are available in energy efficient models allowing us the opportunity to buy new units that offer greater energy savings. No matter how efficient your appliances are, there are serveral ways you can conserve energy, saving you money.

Listed below are some tips that will allow you to save energy.

• Turn off everything that is not in use:  lights, TV’s, computers, etc.
• Plug home electronics into power strips and turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
• Activate “sleep” features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use.
• Air-dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher drying cycle.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
• Only run kitchen and bath exhaust fans until they’ve done their job.
• If you have a refrigerator or freezer in the garage the energy costs will greatly increase during the summer months.
• A second refrigerator can be an energy hog if it is several years old.
• Replace door gaskets that are not sealing tightly.
• Clean the coils on your refrigerator and freezer at least twice a year.
• If you have a manual defrost freezer don’t let the frost build up more than ¼ “.
• A full refrigerator or freezer will operate more efficiently than one that is only half full.
• If you have an energy saving switch in your refrigerator, use it as long as condensation is not a problem.
• Check the inside temperature of your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Built in ones aren’t always accurate.
• Your refrigerator compartment should be between 36 & 38 degrees.  The freezer should be from 0 to 5 degrees.
• Over half of the electricity is used to re-cool air that was lost after the door is opened and to remove the moisture produced upon opening. The longer the door remains open the more cold air is replaced by warmer, moist air.  The compressor has to work even harder at that point to cool the freezer back to the temperature it should be at.
• Organize your refrigerator or freezer so that you can find what you want sooner so the door isn’t open as long.
• During a power outage avoid opening the door.  A freestanding freezer that is full will keep food frozen for approximately two days.  A half full freezer will stay frozen for about one day.