Appliances

Make sure you are saving as much as possible with our easy tips. The electrical appliances in your home can add significantly to your overall electricity usage. If your appliances are old or aren't energy efficient, you may be using more electricity than necessary. 

Refrigerators & Freezers

• Cover all liquids stored in the refrigerator. Otherwise, moisture can be drawn into the air, making the unit work harder.
• Avoid storing your freezer unit in the garage, where temperatures above 90° F can cause it to use more electricity.
• Replace a refrigerator that is more than 15 years old. A new refrigerator with the ENERGY STAR® label can be as much as 40 percent more energy efficient than older models.

Dryers

• Dry two or more loads of laundry in a row to take advantage of the heat that builds up during the previous cycle.
• Clean the lint tray in your clothes dryer after every load, and clean the vent to the outside once a month.
• Use the moisture sensor option on your dryer. This feature automatically shuts off the machine when the clothes are dry.*

Washers

• Run large loads, instead of several smaller ones, to cut down on electricity usage.
• Pick washers with high spin speeds to reduce drying time. Front-load washers use less water and up to two-thirds less electricity than top-loading models.
• Use cold water for the wash and rinse cycles to conserve electricity. Most of the electricity consumed by washing machines is for heating water.

Dishwashers

• Avoid using the heat drying feature on your dishwasher, as this increases electricity consumption.
• Wait until your dishwasher is full before using it. This is one of the simplest ways to reduce electricity usage.
• Make sure to purchase a dishwasher with the ENERGY STAR® label when replacing or upgrading your dishwasher.

Stoves & Range Tops

• Avoid heating the inside of your home and lower your electricity use by grilling outside during the summer. The more a room heats up, the more electricity an AC unit has to use in order to maintain a cooler temperature.
• Use a slow-cooker to cook stews and other single-dish meals. This will help you save on electricity since a slow-cooker uses less electricity than a stove top.
• Cook with covered pans that have tight-fitting lids to allow contents to heat faster, reducing electricity use.

​*Source: ENERGY STAR®

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