Most major appliances are
essential to modern homes, but they tend to require a great deal of energy to
run. This can swiftly increase your electricity bill, not to mention the
negative impact extra energy use can have on the environment. Some of this
energy cost is unavoidable, but there are simple things you can do to decrease
it. Keep reading to learn some basic tips to reduce your energy costs from your
main appliances!Refrigerator:
This is usually the biggest
culprit of energy use in the home. Adjust the temperature settings so that the
fridge and the freezer are in a reasonable zone and not too cold. The fridge
range should be about 37° to 40°F and the freezer range should be 0° to 5°F.
Allow hot foods to cool completely before placing them in the
refrigerator, as hot food will raise the inner temperature of the unit and make
it work harder. Also be sure to cover liquids, as excessive moisture also puts
added strain on the cooling system.
Keep the fridge full, but not over stuffed. A full unit holds in the
cold better and requires less energy. However, an overly full unit can mess up
the air flow.
Minimize the amount of times the refrigerator door is opened throughout
the day. Only open it when you know what you need, and never leave it open for
longer than necessary.
Washer & Dryer:
When washing your clothes, run larger loads instead of several smaller
loads. Many of these appliances use a similar amount of energy whether the
loads are very small or large, so you should get the most out of each wash cycle.
Use the cold water option whenever possible (Of course, things that say
they should be washed in hot water should still be washed in hot water for
cleanliness purposes). A lot of energy use comes from using hot water.
Sort your laundry before putting it through a cleaning cycle. Similar
fabric materials will wash and dry at a similar rate, as opposed to having
things come out of a load not fully clean or dry and having to re-run
them.
Keep the dryer’s outdoor exhaust clean, and be sure to clean the lint
trap after every load. A clogged filter or lint trap drastically decreases the
dryer’s efficiency and power. Consider drying your clothes on a clothesline
whenever possible.
Oven/Stove:
Be sure to use the proper sized pots and pans for the burners on your
stove, and use tight fitting lids. The right size pans will absorb more energy
and therefore require less extra heat, and the proper lids help to store even
more heat.
If you’re just reheating food, opt for using the microwave instead. Microwaves
are actually anywhere from 33-66% more efficient than ovens, depending on your
specific units. Microwaves are fast and use far less energy!
Avoid peeking into the oven. Every time the door is opened, even for a
few seconds, the internal temperature drastically decreases and the oven has to
work harder to regain that temperature. When preheating the oven, try to do it
right before you need it, and then be sure to turn the oven off as soon as the
food is done. Leaving the oven or stove on for any unnecessary time is a waste.
As with any appliance, make sure the oven and stove top are free of
build-up and well maintained. A clean appliance is always more efficient!
There is so much you can do
for free to keep your energy use reasonable, so give these tips a try! Even
with just a few simple steps, you can save a surprising amount on your next
electricity bill.Thank you for
reading! Visit the rest of our blog to see
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and tips
for your household appliances! Browse our main website to
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