Appliances can account for as much as 15 to 20% of your monthly electric bill. Although each appliance may not use very much in and of itself, once you add the electric usage of all of your appliances together, they can have a significant impact on your monthly bill.

From refrigeration to laundry to cooking to dishwashing, your appliances are a necessity in today’s world. Use these simple tips to keep these items from contributing more to your bill than need be.

Energy Star Appliances

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50% less energy and water than standard models. The money you save on your utility bills can more than make up for the cost of a more expensive but more efficient ENERGY STAR model.

Change to appliances that have earned the ENERGY STAR, and you can save $80 a year in energy costs, while saving the environment.

When you buy an appliance, don’t just look at the price tag, remember to look for the Energy Guide label. Manufacturers are required to display this yellow label on all major appliances. The Energy Guide label is important because it estimates how much energy the appliance uses, compares energy use of similar products, and lists approximate annual operating costs.

An ENERGY STAR qualified appliance must carry the Energy Guide label. Energy Guide labels note whether the product is ENERGY STAR qualified.

Refrigerators
Refrigerators are large energy consumers and can account for as much as 15% of a household’s total energy consumption. Refrigerators run day and night, 365 days a year.

Refrigerators more than 10 years old typically consume 1,000 to 2,000 kWhs per year. The most efficient standard household refrigerators use less than 500 kWhs annually.

• Make sure refrigerator and freezer seals fit tightly when doors close.
• Minimize refrigerator door opening.
• Keep outside coils clean. Dirty coils make your refrigerator compressor work longer to remove heat.
• Setting your freezer below 0° uses extra energy.
• Setting your refrigerator below 37° uses extra energy.
• If you are in need of a new refrigerator, choose an ENERGY STAR refrigerator. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators require about half as much energy as models manufactured before 1993.

Cooking
Hey, we all have to eat!

Although cooking represents a small portion of the average family’s monthly electric bill,  you can lower your monthly electric consumption from cooking without greatly impacting or changing your lifestyle. Make dining not only fine, but smart as well.

• Match what you’re cooking to the proper appliance. Microwaves, toaster ovens and crockpots use much less electricity than your stove. If the meal is small or something just needs to be warmed up, use your microwave.
• Keep the heat in! Use lids when possible and don’t peek. Lids keep heat in and allow for quicker cook times. When you peek inside, remember you’re letting heat out, adding to the cooking time.
• Match the size of the pan to the burner. For example, a six-inch pot on an eight-inch burner wastes more than 40% of the burner’s heat.
• Use glass or ceramic pans when possible – they heat faster and cook quicker than metal pans.

Dishwashing
Dishwashers have become almost a necessity in today’s hectic world. Don’t let your dishwasher cost more than it should.

• Run your dishwasher with a full load. Most of the energy used by a dishwasher goes to heat water. Since you can’t decrease the amount of water used per cycle, fill your dishwasher to get the most from the energy used to run it.
• Avoid using the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features. Instead, use your dishwasher’s air-dry option.

If you are in the market to replace your existing dishwasher, purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher. ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use at least 41 percent less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption. They also use much less water than conventional models. Because they use less hot water compared to new conventional models, an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher saves about $90 over its lifetime.

Laundry
Washing and drying clothes can be a drag – don’t let them be costly as well. Laundry can account for 5% to 10% of your monthly electric bill.  You can  minimize these costs and keep more money in your pocket each month.

• Keep it cold. Wash clothes in cold water . Use warm water only when necessary. Manufacturers of detergents are making cold water detergents now so you don’t have to sacrifice cleanliness to save money.
• Wash and dry clothes in full loads only. Small loads and full loads use the same amount of electricity.
• Keep your lint filter clean. Clean it after every load. A clogged lint filter reduces the dryer’s ability to dry effectively.
• Do as Granny did – use a clothes line. The sun doesn’t cost you a thing.
• Buy ENERGY STAR  Appliances. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50% less energy and water than standard models. The money you save on your utility bills can more than make up for the cost of a more expensive but more efficient ENERGY STAR model.

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