Saving Energy Room by Room

Kitchen:

1. Check your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. The refrigerator should be 36 to 40 degrees, with the freezer at zero to five degrees. Any colder and you are using more energy than you need to be.
2. The temperature of your kitchen has the biggest impact on how hard your refrigerator has to work. Avoid using the oven more than needed in the summer.
3. Check the seal on your fridge by closing the door on a dollar bill. If you can slide it out easily, you need to replace the seal.
4. If your refrigerator has a problem and needs repairs, consider replacing it if it is more than ten years old. The new Energy Star rated models are far more efficient – the switch can save you $75 to $100 per year in electricity costs.
5. An oven has to heat the entire oven cavity whether you are cooking a large roast or a small helping. A toaster oven or a microwave will use less energy for reheating or single dishes.
6. Switch off the drying cycle in your dishwasher and let the dishes air dry. You not only save the energy used to dry the dishes, you also save because the dishwasher won’t be putting off heat that your air conditioner has to cool down.
7. Defrost foods in the refrigerator overnight when possible instead of using the microwave
8. Anything with a clock, light or remote is continuously using energy. Cut down on these losses by turning off or disconnecting countertop appliances between uses.

Living areas:

1. Replace bulky computer monitors with flat panel screens. Older monitors account for half the energy your computer uses. In addition, the heat generated by a large monitor causes your air conditioner to run more.
2. Use a desk lamp instead of overhead lights if you need task lighting.
3. Plug the chargers for your cell phones, iPods and other rechargeables into a power strip. Turn off the entire power strip when you are not charging so that the chargers are not constantly using energy.
4. In summer a draft from the chimney can let hot air into the house, making your air conditioner work harder. Check your fireplace to be sure the damper has a tight seal.
5. Have your air conditioner checked annually to be sure it is running efficiently. An inefficient air conditioner uses more power.
6. As lightbulbs burn out, replace them with energy saving Compact Flourescent Lights (CFLs). The energy savings can be impressive. For more information on CFLs check our CFL web page.

Laundry:

1. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. If you need to use hot water for linens or extra dirty clothes, let them rinse in cold water.
2. Adjust your water setting if you are washing a small load. A small capacity setting can save up to 50% of water usage, not only saving water, but the energy to heat it.
3. If purchasing a new washer, check out front loaders. They can use from 50 to 70 percent less energy and 30 to 60 percent less water.
4. Dry towels separately from lightweight items, such as sheets. You won’t have to waste energy over drying the sheets.
5. Dry loads back to back when possible as the dryer will have some residual heat from previous loads.
6. Check the lint filters and exhaust hoses in your dryer. A clean system uses less energy as the air circulates more freely. It’s also safer!