Get rid of your old refrigerator. If you were to replace your 1984 model refrigerator with a current ENERGY STAR® qualified 2007 model, you could save up to $85 a year in energy cost.
Keep your refrigerator's temperature between 1.7°C and 3.3°C (35°-38°F). The freezer compartment should be kept at -18°C (0°F) for maximum efficiency and safety.
Wash and rinse your clothes in cold water instead of using hot water. For each load of laundry done using only cold water, you could reduce the energy you use by 93%.
Install and use a clothesline as an alternative to your dryer on sunny days. The average electric clothes dryer consumes 937 kWh of electricity, or about $85 annually, so line drying will save you money and your clothes will last longer – where do you think dryer lint comes from?
Use microwave ovens when you can. They save energy by reducing cooking times. In fact, you can save up to 50% on your cooking energy costs by using a microwave oven instead of a regular oven.
Use an electric kettle to heat water. It's more energy efficient than using a cooktop element or even a microwave.
Use compact fluorescent lights (CFLs): They use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than regular incandescent light bulbs.
Did you know? Household appliances account for up to 20% of your energy costs.
Install timers and motion detectors.
In areas where you cannot use compact fluorescent bulbs, timers, photocells and motion detectors are great for energy savings – indoors or out.
Did you know? Less than 10% of the energy consumed by regular incandescent light bulbs is used for lighting. The remaining 90% is lost in the form of heat.
Tip Install and use a clothesline as an alternative to your dryer on sunny days. The average electric clothes dryer consumes 937 kWh of electricity, or about $85 annually, so line drying will save you money and your clothes will last longer – where do you think dryer lint comes from?
