Looking for quick and simple ways to cut your electric bill? Try these easy appliance energy savers:
In the kitchen:- Use lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking times, and don't put a small pan on a large burner.
- Check the seal on your refrigerator door by closing it on a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, it's time to replace the gaskets. You can purchase a replacement kit from an appliance dealer or a home center.
- Vacuum the refrigerator coils about twice a year to keep the compressor running efficiently.
- As your mother always told you, don't leave the refrigerator door open. Every time it's opened, up to 30 percent of the cooled air can escape. The same rule holds for the oven, too.
- Keep the refrigerator temperature about 36-38 degrees, and the freezer at 0-5 degrees.
- Don't overload the refrigerator or freezer. The cold air needs to circulate freely to keep foods at the proper temperature.
- Make sure the refrigerator is level, so the door automatically swings shut instead of open. If the floor isn't level, use shims to prop up the front of the refrigerator.
- Don't worry about placing hot leftovers in the refrigerator. It won't affect energy use significantly, and cooling food to room temperature first can increase the chance of food-borne illnesses.
- Use smaller kitchen appliances whenever possible. Microwaves, toaster ovens and slow-cookers can use 75 percent less energy than a large electric oven.
- Use your oven's self-cleaning feature immediately after cooking, while the oven is still hot. This will reduce a lengthy warm-up time.
- Keep the grease plates under range burners clean to reflect heat more efficiently.
- Run the dishwasher only with full loads, and use the air-dry cycle.
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In the laundry room:- Wash only full loads of clothes, and be sure to set the water level appropriately.
- Use hot water only for very dirty loads, and always use cold water for the rinse cycle.
- Clean the lint screen on the dryer every time you use the machine. A clogged lint screen can make your dryer use up to 30 percent more energy - and it can be a fire hazard.
- Remove clothes from the dryer while they're still damp and hang them up. This will save energy, prevent static and reduce wrinkles and shrinkage.
- Dry one load of clothes immediately after another. This will minimize heat loss, reducing warm-up and drying times.
Other energy savers:- Get rid of spare refrigerators or freezers. An extra appliance can add more than $100 to your energy bills every year, and it's a safety hazard for small children.
- When you take a vacation, don't forget to give your appliances a rest too. Turn off and unplug everything you can.
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