The third largest energy user in a home is the refrigerator/freezer. To cut down on costs:
- Avoid using multiple refrigerators or freezers. An extra refrigerator that is hardly used can cost up to $100 a year.
- Keep your freezer full. Food catches and stores cold air, reducing the workload of your freezer.
- Reduce the amount of escaping cold air by opening the door once to get all your items.
Buying a new, energy-efficient refrigerator can save a lot of energy and money. When shopping for a new one:
- Select the right size. Larger refrigerators may cost more to run.
- Compare features and energy use. Side-by-side models use more energy than top and bottom models.
- Compare operating costs using the EnergyGuide label.
A dishwasher consumes one-third less hot water than hand washing so using the dishwasher saves you money. Additional ways to save are:
- Avoid pre-rinsing dishes in hot water. Use the rinse cycle until it's time to clean a full load.
- Use the energy-saving cycle to shorten the run time and save gallons of water.
- Run your dishwasher with a full load and use the air dry option, if available.
When buying a new dishwasher:
- Compare features. Look for models that are ENERGY STAR® compliant and offer energy-saving features.
- Compare operating costs using the EnergyGuide label.
- Consider water use. More than 80 percent of the energy used by dishwashers is for heating the water, so look for models that use less water.
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Energy use and efficiency are determined by your cooking habits. When shopping for a new stove or oven, buy the model that best suits you. Here are some general tips:
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- Cook with a toaster oven or microwave. They use less energy than the oven, and add less heat to your kitchen.
- Use the self-cleaning cycle on your oven for major cleaning jobs only and start it when the oven is already hot.
- Plan out your cooking so that several items can cook in the oven at the same time.
- Lower the heat on your stovetop after food reaches a boil.
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