Cooking with energy
Simple, everyday cooking habits can save energy in the kitchen.
Replacing a 10-year old dishwasher with an EnergyStar-qualified model can save you more than $30 a year in energy costs!
The most important feature to look for in a new dishwasher is a booster water heater. Models with these built-in heaters bring the water temperature to the 140-160 degrees recommended by manufacturers. This allows you to keep your primary water heater at an energy-saving 120 degrees and still get your dishes sparkling clean.
Another new technology available from many brands is "smart sensors" that detect the amount of food left on the dishes. The sensors automatically program the dishwasher to run the most appropriate cycle, eliminating the need for pre-rinsing. This can save most users another gallon or two of water per load.
If you have a tiny kitchen, or if you have a wet bar, butler's pantry or even an RV, take a look at countertop dishwashers. These units plug into a standard outlet and hook up to a standard faucet. Most styles are about two feet wide and two feet high, and can hold two or three place settings or up to 24 glasses.
For an upscale kitchen, dish drawers might fit in nicely. Instead of one large door that opens from the top, dish drawers slide in and out just like a standard drawer - and they're energy-efficient. You can choose from one or two drawers; each drawer will hold about 30 percent more than a standard dishwasher rack. If you choose two drawers, you can run one at a time or both simultaneously.
Simple, everyday cooking habits can save energy in the kitchen.
Drying clothes takes a lot of energy. Keeping your dryer vent clean makes your appliance more energy efficient.
If you have kids, you probably have at least one video game system in your home. There are settings in today's gaming systems that can save energy.
Appliances start to wear down and use more energy. Here are tips to help keep your appliances running at top efficiency.
Learn about some new trends in appliances, like heat pump clothes dryers, variable compressor refrigerators and induction cook tops.
Your refrigerator can be one-third of your energy bill. Learn what to look for when shopping for a new fridge to save you money.
Recycling that old refrigerator, freezer or room air conditioner will save you money and keep waste out of the landfill.
Give your appliances a rest while you're out of town - your utility bill will thank you for it!
Traditional dryer vents can let outside air into your home. Try this energy-saving version to help keep the outside air where it belongs.