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Q. I have a separate chest freezer - is this costing me a lot to run, and
how can I cut the cost?
A. Refrigerators and freezers are among the largest energy consumers in the
average home. A separate freezer makes economic sense when you can buy large
quantities of food and freeze it. If the freezer is empty or nearly empty, try
to use the freezer compartment in your refrigerator and turn off the additional
freezer.
Q. Are there any simple, inexpensive things I can do to save energy with
my refrigerator?
A. Yes. Make sure the door gasket fits snugly to keep the cold air inside,
clean the coils (located either on the bottom or the back) regularly, and avoid
overfilling the refrigerator - there needs to be enough room for the cold air to
circulate.
Q. Is it a good idea to vent my clothes dryer inside to capture the extra
heat in the winter?
A. Definitely not. The heated air blown out the vent also contains all of
the moisture that has been removed from the clothes. This moisture can cause
problems ranging from excessive condensation on windows to long-term structural
damage.
Q. What is the purpose of the EneryGuide labels on appliances, and what do
they tell me?
A. These labels allow you to compare energy costs of comparable appliances.
Most will have a horizontal scale showing the least efficient model, the most
efficient one, and where that particular appliance falls on the scale. The
labels also have a table that allows you to estimate your annual energy cost
based on current electric rates. As with kilometer ratings on automobiles, your
actual cost may vary depending on usage.
Q. Can I save energy by using a microwave or toaster oven for cooking and
defrosting frozen food?
A. Yes. Microwaves are excellent for defrosting and reheating cooked food,
and use much less electricity than an electric range or oven. Toaster ovens also
use less and are good for heating or cooking small quantities of food.
Q. Are there any simple ways I can save energy and money with my
dishwasher?
A. Run full loads whenever possible (this also saves water), and use the
"air dry" setting or open the door after the cycle is completed, instead of
using the "heated dry" cycle.
Q. How can I save energy and money on washing and drying clothes?
A. Wash laundry in cold water and line dry whenever possible for the greatest savings.
Cold water washing saves about $72 annually and line drying saves another $84 per
year. Also, be sure to use the appropriate water level setting, avoid over drying
and always run full loads.
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