Appliances:
- Try not to leave your television or computer on standby. Televisions waste a lot of electricity each year just waiting to be switched on.
- Mobile phone chargers left plugged in waste electricity and are responsible for a quarter of a million tons of CO2 every year.
- If the weather if fine, you could hang clothes outside to dry (or on a drying rack indoors). If using a tumble dryer, spin dry clothes first.
- If everyone boiled only the water they needed to make a cup of tea instead of filling the kettle every time, we could save electricity.
- Use the washing machine when you have a full load and choose 30°C cycles – this will save you 40% compared with a 60°C wash.
The third largest energy user in a home is the refrigerator/freezer. To cut down on costs:
- Avoid using multiple refrigerators or freezers. An extra refrigerator that is hardly used can cost up to $100 a year.
- Keep your freezer full. Food catches and stores cold air, reducing the workload of your freezer.
- Reduce the amount of escaping cold air by opening the door once to get all your items.
Buying a new, energy-efficient refrigerator can save a lot of energy and money. When shopping for a new one:
- Select the right size. Larger refrigerators may cost more to run.
- Compare features and energy use. Side-by-side models use more energy than top and bottom models.
- Compare operating costs using the EnergyGuide label.
Washers & Dryers:
Wash Clothes Efficiently
About 90 percent of the energy used to do laundry comes from heating the dryer. To save energy and money, we recommend that you:
- Use cold water to wash whenever possible and always use cold water to rinse
- Adjust the water level to match each load size, especially when using hot water
- Clean the dryer lint filter before each dry cycle
- Do not overload the dryer
- Use the auto sensor function, if available, to avoid the dryer running longer than necessary
Shop Smart
Are you
considering buying a new washer
and dryer?
Here are some tips to save on
energy and costs:
- Look for ENERGY STAR® compliant washers that offer several water temperature settings.
- Compare operating costs using the EnergyGuide label for washers.
- The most efficient washers save both energy and water. They also spin faster, which reduces drying time.
Have a professional walk you through an appliance repair on the phone. Call for just a few questions or for the entire repair.
409-962-8808