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Energy Saving Tips For Home - Part 1 - Appliance UsageJul 3 2009 11:30AMDave Calabro
During summer it's even easier to run up the electricity bill. In this first part of our series of energy saving tips for summer, we will cover appliance usage around the home.
1. Try using your microwave more than your stove. Not only does it cook your food quicker, but it won't release as much heat back into the house.
2. When washing clothes, use only cold water for rinse cycles and line dry clothes whenever you can. If you have to use your dryer, try to run full loads, use the moisture sense setting if your dryer supports it, and clean the lint trap each time you use it!
3. Try to avoid using major appliance before 4pm and after 6pm which is considered peak time to reduce the chance of power outages.
4. Turn off lights, appliances, and equipment when it's not being used or when you're not in the room.
5. Use your air conditioners Energy Saver setting. This will usually run the air conditioner for a certain period of time or until it gets to a certain temperature and then turn off for a few minutes before turning back on. This automatic off and on can keep you at a comfortable temperature while greatly reducing your cooling costs, especially during the night time.
6. For new appliances, only buy EnergyStar approved appliances! 7. If you run a fan at a low speed you can usually raise the temperature of your air conditioner. This combination can cool you off while using less energy and extending the life of your air conditioner. 8. If you haven't already done so, swap out your regular light bulbs for CFL bulbs because they give off less heat. For more resources you can check your local energy departments website. For the Philadelphia area, check out PECO/Exelon Save Money - Save Energy page.
During summer it's even easier to run up the electricity bill. In this first part of our series of energy saving tips for summer, we will cover appliance usage around the home.
1. Try using your microwave more than your stove. Not only does it cook your food quicker, but it won't release as much heat back into the house.
2. When washing clothes, use only cold water for rinse cycles and line dry clothes whenever you can. If you have to use your dryer, try to run full loads, use the moisture sense setting if your dryer supports it, and clean the lint trap each time you use it!
3. Try to avoid using major appliance before 4pm and after 6pm which is considered peak time to reduce the chance of power outages.
4. Turn off lights, appliances, and equipment when it's not being used or when you're not in the room.
5. Use your air conditioners Energy Saver setting. This will usually run the air conditioner for a certain period of time or until it gets to a certain temperature and then turn off for a few minutes before turning back on. This automatic off and on can keep you at a comfortable temperature while greatly reducing your cooling costs, especially during the night time.
6. For new appliances, only buy EnergyStar approved appliances! 7. If you run a fan at a low speed you can usually raise the temperature of your air conditioner. This combination can cool you off while using less energy and extending the life of your air conditioner. 8. If you haven't already done so, swap out your regular light bulbs for CFL bulbs because they give off less heat. For more resources you can check your local energy departments website. For the Philadelphia area, check out PECO/Exelon Save Money - Save Energy page.