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Using Appliances Tips
Unplug Electronic Devices
The International Energy Agency estimates that the power consumed by appliances in standby mode is responsible for 1% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. For example, a TV with a remote could use more energy during the 20 hours it is turned off than it does while you watch it over four hours. In fact in the average home, up to 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. The simplest and most obvious way to eliminate power losses is to unplug products when not in use.
Search the wall sockets in your house for hidden unconnected chargers and other devices that don't need to be plugged in. When you detach your cell phone or similar device from its charger, unplug the charger too.
These simple steps can help us avoid using standby power unnecessarily in both our homes and offices:
The International Energy Agency estimates that the power consumed by appliances in standby mode is responsible for 1% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. For example, a TV with a remote could use more energy during the 20 hours it is turned off than it does while you watch it over four hours. In fact in the average home, up to 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. The simplest and most obvious way to eliminate power losses is to unplug products when not in use.
Search the wall sockets in your house for hidden unconnected chargers and other devices that don't need to be plugged in. When you detach your cell phone or similar device from its charger, unplug the charger too.
These simple steps can help us avoid using standby power unnecessarily in both our homes and offices:
- Unplug power adapters or battery chargers when equipment is fully charged or disconnected from the charger.
- Use a power strip that can be switched off when electronics and appliances are not in use.
- Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing products.
For Older Appliances, use a Power-Controlling Device
If you have an older appliance, you can use a power-controlling device to reduce the energy consumption of the appliance's electric motor. Electronic power controllers for residential appliances are available at many retail stores, home centers, and mail order catalog outlets. The cost ranges from $30 to $60 and many units have a 10–15 year warranty. Since the dollar value of the energy saved varies with line voltage, age/condition of the appliance, the cost of the controlling device, and the local utility electricity rates, the payback time for this conservation measure can range from 21 months to 16 years.
Learn more at Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
If you have an older appliance, you can use a power-controlling device to reduce the energy consumption of the appliance's electric motor. Electronic power controllers for residential appliances are available at many retail stores, home centers, and mail order catalog outlets. The cost ranges from $30 to $60 and many units have a 10–15 year warranty. Since the dollar value of the energy saved varies with line voltage, age/condition of the appliance, the cost of the controlling device, and the local utility electricity rates, the payback time for this conservation measure can range from 21 months to 16 years.
Learn more at Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Use a Power Meter to Measure Energy Consumption
Use a power meter to find your leading sources of energy consumption to help you to prioritize which products to unplug or to replace. Plug these devices in between a given appliance and the wall socket to see how much electricity it is using. Two models to look for are the Kill A Watt™ and the Watts Up? Pro Power Meter. For an even more sophisticated, big-picture look at your home’s real-time electricity use, you might also consider purchasing a power use monitor. These devices are programmed to read information from your electric meter and communicate the real-time changes in use through an easy-to-read screen. Some monitors to look for are The Energy Detective (TED) and the Power Cost Monitor.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Use a power meter to find your leading sources of energy consumption to help you to prioritize which products to unplug or to replace. Plug these devices in between a given appliance and the wall socket to see how much electricity it is using. Two models to look for are the Kill A Watt™ and the Watts Up? Pro Power Meter. For an even more sophisticated, big-picture look at your home’s real-time electricity use, you might also consider purchasing a power use monitor. These devices are programmed to read information from your electric meter and communicate the real-time changes in use through an easy-to-read screen. Some monitors to look for are The Energy Detective (TED) and the Power Cost Monitor.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Tips for Efficient Refrigerator/Freezer Use
In order to make sure your refrigerator/freezer is working efficiently, try the following steps:
In order to make sure your refrigerator/freezer is working efficiently, try the following steps:
- Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at 0°F.
- To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.
- Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup decreases the energy-efficiency of the unit. Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
- Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
- Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment, the seal may need replacing, or you might consider buying a new unit.
- Move the refrigerator to a cooler location. If your refrigerator is in the sunlight or next to your stove or dishwasher, it has to work harder to maintain cool temperatures.
How to Reduce the Energy use of Your Washer/Dryer
Try these ideas to reduce your washer/dryer energy consumption:
Try these ideas to reduce your washer/dryer energy consumption:
- About 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water. There are two ways to reduce the amount of energy used for washing clothes—use less water and use cooler water. Unless you're dealing with oily stains, the warm or cold water setting on your machine will generally do a good job of cleaning your clothes. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy use in half.
- It is important not to underload or overload either your washer or dryer. Most people tend to underload their washers rather than overload — particularly with conventional top loaders
- If your dryer has a setting for auto-dry, be sure to use it instead of the timer, to avoid wasting energy and overdrying, which can cause shrinkage, generate static electricity, and shorten the life of your clothes.
- If you can't air-dry your laundry, save on drying time by drying similar fabrics together, drying multiple loads in quick succession (to take advantage of residual heat), and make sure to clean the dryer filter after each use.
Buying a New Washer
The typical American household does nearly 400 loads of laundry per year, using about 40 gallons of water per full load with a conventional washer. That's why an energy-efficient clothes washer can be an important money-saver for your family. You not only save on electricity, but also on water and the energy needed to heat that water.
The average washing machine uses about 41 gallons of water per load while high-efficiency washing machines use less than 28 gallons of water per load. An ENERGY STAR-qualified clothes washer can save you $550 in operating costs over its lifetime compared to a regular clothes washer. Best of all, independent studies show they may actually get clothes cleaner.
Learn more at the California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center and Energy Star
The typical American household does nearly 400 loads of laundry per year, using about 40 gallons of water per full load with a conventional washer. That's why an energy-efficient clothes washer can be an important money-saver for your family. You not only save on electricity, but also on water and the energy needed to heat that water.
The average washing machine uses about 41 gallons of water per load while high-efficiency washing machines use less than 28 gallons of water per load. An ENERGY STAR-qualified clothes washer can save you $550 in operating costs over its lifetime compared to a regular clothes washer. Best of all, independent studies show they may actually get clothes cleaner.
Learn more at the California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center and Energy Star
Buying a New Dryer
Dryers are not regulated by the government so there is no requirement to display the EnergyGuide label on clothes dryers and no ENERGY STAR program for them. From an energy perspective, it makes little sense to replace a well-functioning dryer before the end of its useful life — typically 12 or 13 years. Higher spin-speeds in very efficient washers are designed to remove more water, reducing drying time. That said, the features on a dryer as well as the ways you use and maintain it can have a big impact on energy use.
The major energy consideration is whether the dryer uses termination controls to sense dryness and turn off automatically and, if so, the sensing mechanism used. You can save a significant amount of energy by buying a model that senses dryness and automatically shuts off rather than counting on you to estimate the time it will take. Most of the better quality dryers today include this feature.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Dryers are not regulated by the government so there is no requirement to display the EnergyGuide label on clothes dryers and no ENERGY STAR program for them. From an energy perspective, it makes little sense to replace a well-functioning dryer before the end of its useful life — typically 12 or 13 years. Higher spin-speeds in very efficient washers are designed to remove more water, reducing drying time. That said, the features on a dryer as well as the ways you use and maintain it can have a big impact on energy use.
The major energy consideration is whether the dryer uses termination controls to sense dryness and turn off automatically and, if so, the sensing mechanism used. You can save a significant amount of energy by buying a model that senses dryness and automatically shuts off rather than counting on you to estimate the time it will take. Most of the better quality dryers today include this feature.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Cooking With a Microwave
Whenever you choose to cook using a microwave, you're choosing to save money. Fast and efficient microwave ovens use around 50-65% less energy than conventional ovens. They also have the added benefit of not heating up your kitchen, so they save money on air conditioning in the hot times of the year. For large meals, however, stovetop cooking is usually more efficient.
Learn more at the California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center
Whenever you choose to cook using a microwave, you're choosing to save money. Fast and efficient microwave ovens use around 50-65% less energy than conventional ovens. They also have the added benefit of not heating up your kitchen, so they save money on air conditioning in the hot times of the year. For large meals, however, stovetop cooking is usually more efficient.
Learn more at the California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center
Buying a New Stove
Today, about 58% of American households cook with electricity, but gas cooking is making a steady comeback - for good reason. A gas stove costs less than half as much to operate as an electric one, provided it is equipped with electronic ignition instead of a pilot light. The electronic pilotless ignitions reduce gas usage by about 30% over a constantly burning pilot light. These are also more convenient, eliminating the need to restart a standing pilot light.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center
Today, about 58% of American households cook with electricity, but gas cooking is making a steady comeback - for good reason. A gas stove costs less than half as much to operate as an electric one, provided it is equipped with electronic ignition instead of a pilot light. The electronic pilotless ignitions reduce gas usage by about 30% over a constantly burning pilot light. These are also more convenient, eliminating the need to restart a standing pilot light.
Learn more at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center
Reduce the Energy Use of Your Dishwasher
Try these tips to reduce energy use:
Try these tips to reduce energy use:
- Studies show more and more that when used to maximize energy-saving features, modern dishwashers can outperform all but the most frugal hand washers.
- The dishwasher uses the same amount of water whether it’s half-full or completely full, so nothing will save more energy than waiting to run your dishwasher. If you find that it takes a day or two to get a full load, use the rinse and hold feature common on newer models. This will prevent build up of dried-on food while saving time and water compared to pre-rinsing each item. The rinse feature typically uses only 1 to 2 gallons of water.
- Pay attention to the cycle options on your dishwasher and select the cycle that requires the least amount of energy for the job. Use the no-heat air-dry feature on your dishwasher if it has one.
- Check the manual that came with your dishwasher for the manufacturer's recommendations on water temperature; many have internal heating elements that allow you to set the water heater in your home to a lower temperature (120°F).
- Scrape, don't rinse, off large food pieces. Soaking or prewashing is generally only recommended in cases of burned-on or dried-on food.
- Let your dishes air dry; if you don't have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open a little so the dishes will dry faster.
