Refrigerators and Freezers
Did you know your refrigerator could account for up to 15 percent of your total monthly electricity usage? The more you can do to keep it operating efficiently, the better. Here are some steps you can take to maximize your refrigerator’s efficiency and lifespan.
Clean the coils every six months—more frequently if you have pets. Regular cleaning of refrigerator coils can improve the efficiency of your refrigerator by as much as 30 percent. Clean the coils by gently brushing them off or vacuuming them. Use extra caution to avoid damaging the coils. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and disconnect the power before performing maintenance on your refrigerator.
Defrost regularly. If your refrigerator is not frost-free, defrost it when frost is 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. If your refrigerator has an icemaker, make sure it works. If it doesn’t, turn the icemaker off and have it repaired by a certified professional. Make sure your refrigerator’s door seals are airtight. To test them, close the door on a sheet of paper and try to pull it out. If it slides out easily, the gasket needs to be replaced to prevent cold air from leaking out.
- Clean the coils every six months—more frequently if you have pets
- Make sure your refrigerator’s door seals are airtight
Ovens and Dishwashers
Keep the oven door shut while baking. Each time you open the oven door while it’s in use, the temperature inside can drop up to 50 degrees. When you can, use other appliances for cooking. Microwaves are fast and efficient, while a slow cooker can cook a whole meal using only about 17 cents worth of electricity.
Many people don’t realize that the main electricity usage associated with dishwashers is for heating the hot water they use. To save electricity, first wait until the dishwasher is full before using it. Next, if yours has a booster heater, you can set your water heater to a lower 120-degree setting, which could reduce overall water-heating costs. Use of your dishwasher’s no-heat drying option can also help lower costs.
If you’re looking to buy a new dishwasher, consider purchasing one with energy-saving wash cycles. These cycles enable the dishwasher to use less water and run for shorter periods when cleaning lighter, less-soiled loads. Another bonus to buying a new dishwasher is that many new models don't require dishes to be pre-washed. This means you can discard large food items and put heavily soiled dishes directly into the dishwasher, saving water and water-heating costs.
- Keep the oven door closed while baking
- Use your microwave for cooking, when possible
- Use the dishwasher only when it’s full
Washing Machines and Dryers
Washing machines and dryers, combined, account for up to 10 percent of your overall electricity usage. Most of the electricity consumed by washing machines is for heating the water. To conserve electricity, use cold water for the wash and rinse cycles.
Choose washers with a number of wash and rinse temperature cycles and water capacities. Run large loads instead of several smaller ones to cut down on electricity costs; however, be careful not to overload. Choose washers with high spin speeds to reduce drying time. Front-load washers use less water and up to two-thirds less electricity than top-loading models.
As for dryers, gas models cost less to operate than electric models. Drying two or more loads in a row lets you take advantage of the heat that builds up during the first load. Also, over-drying can waste electricity and harm fabric. Consider buying a dryer with an automatic shut-off feature. Finally, to maximize drying efficiency, you should dry heavy and light fabrics separately, clean out the dryer exhaust vent yearly, and periodically wash the lent screen.
- Wash with cold water
- Wash large loads
- Dry two or more loads in a row
Water Heaters
When it comes to water heaters, natural gas models are usually less expensive to operate than electric models. But whether gas or electric, you can increase your unit’s efficiency by installing heat traps on both the cold and hot water intakes of your water heater, and by insulating both the cold and hot water pipes attached to the water heater.
An insulation jacket on an electric water heater will greatly reduce heat loss. However, insulation jackets are not recommended for gas water heaters. Some manufacturers also recommend against installing jackets on their energy-efficient models, so make sure to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Finally, after disconnecting the power supply at the breaker box, lower the thermostat of your water heater to 125˚F for safety and efficiency. For every 10 degrees you lower the water heater temperature, you could save up to three percent in heating costs.
- Install heat traps on both the cold- and hot-water intakes
- If your water heater is electric and it’s recommended by the manufacturer, install an insulation jacket
Share This
