Energy-Wise: Savers in the kitchen, bath and laundry
These three areas typically are places where people sometimes forget to practice energy conservation. How many times do you let the water run in the sink while shaving, stand with the refrigerator door open while looking for something to eat, or use the clothes dryer when it's a beautiful day outside?
Remember these helpful tips:
Kitchen
Use cold water rather than hot to operate your food disposer. This saves the energy needed to heat the water, is recommended for the appliance, and aids in getting rid of grease.
Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean. They will reflect the heat better, and you will save energy.
Match the size of pan to the heating element. More heat will get to the pan; less will be lost to surrounding air.
Turn off the burners or oven several minutes before the allotted cooking time. The heating element will stay hot long enough to finish the cooking for you without using more electricity.
When using the oven, cook as many foods as you can at one time.
Don't continually open the oven door to check food. Every time you open the door heat escapes and your cooking takes more energy.
Use small appliances (electric pans, convection ovens) for small meals. They use less energy.
Keepthe refrigerator door openings to a minimum and get the food in or out as quickly as possible to minimize cold air loss.
Clean the dust from the refrigerator's condenser coils (located in the back or under the appliance) every few months. Dust acts as insulator, which decreases refrigerator efficiency.
Defrost the refrigerator when the frost builds up to 1/4" for maximum efficiency.
Check the refrigerator door seals for tightness. This can be done by closing the door on a piece of paper so it is half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, the seal may need repaired or replaced. Also apply a light coat of Vaseline on the gasket to enhance the effectiveness of the seal.
Bath
Take a shower rather than tub baths. Less water is usually used for short showers than for tub baths.
Do not leave water running while shaving, brushing teeth, etc. Why pay for all of that wasted hot water going down the drain?
Laundry
Wash clothes in warm or
cold water, rinse in cold. You'll save energy and money by only using hot water when necessary.
Wash only full loads of laundry, but don't overload the appliance.
Pre-soak when washing heavily soiled garments. You'll avoid two washings and save energy
Keep the lint screen in the dryer clean. Remove lint after each load. Lint impedes the flow of air in the dryer and requires the machine to use more energy.
Remove items as soon as the dryer stops. This avoids unnecessary wrinkling that will require pressing.
Save energy by using the old-fashioned clothesline, when practical. As a bonus, clothes dried outdoors often seem fresher and cleaner than those taken from a mechanical dryer.
Keep the outside exhaust of your clothes dryer clean. Check it regularly. A clogged exhaust lengthens the drying time and increases the amount of energy used.
If your dryer has an automatic dry cycle, use it. Over drying merely wastes energy.
Remember to use appliances according to manufacturers directions and ensure proper maintenance.
How to save additional energy and $$$ at home.
| How to save additional energy and $$$ at home. |
|
Empty or replace the vacuum cleaner bag
frequently for efficient operation.
