Your refrigerator can use more energy than any other electric appliance:
- Set the refrigerator between 36-38°F and the freezer between 0-5°F
To use less energy when cooking:
- Use microwaves, toaster ovens or crock pots whenever possible
- Cook with lids on your pans
- If your gas burners have a continuous yellow flame, gas is not burning efficiently
- Check the seal on the stove door and cracks or tears
Use energy-saving dishwasher features:
- Energy/water-saving wash cycles can save $5-$15 per year
- Turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse cycle and air dry dishes
- Operate the dishwasher only when full
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Reducing hot water will reduce energy consumption and cost:
- Water heaters should be set at 120°F. Any hotter results in wasted energy and could be a burn hazard.
- Showers usually require less water than a tub bath
- Reduce the length of time spent in the shower
- Use cold water for washing
- Dry clothes in consecutive loads to take advantage of the heat already generated
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact florescence that last much longer and use less energy
- Use brighter bulbs in area where you do more close-up work and less bright bulbs in other areas
- In the Winter, set the thermostat 2-4° below to what you're accustomed
- Shut vents to unused rooms
- Keep windows closed when A/C is on
- Fans, used alone or with A/C to save money
- Recycle - not just your waste, but other things like furniture, Buying new things makes your carbon footprint bigger
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