Save On Appliances

• Appliances that are more than 10 years old use nearly twice the amount of energy as newer models. Before purchasing a new appliance, consult the U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance Shopping Guide. Also, Energy Star-qualified products are identified by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency as being among the most energy-efficient products on the market.
• Run dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers early in the morning or late in the evening. Operating these appliances during the day in summertime will add to the heat in your home and drive up your electric bill.
  
• Unless otherwise specified by labels, wash laundry with cold water. Wash full loads only.
• When drying clothes, use the warm setting rather than the hot, and remove lint from the screen when drying is completed. Do not dry more than is needed; too much drying damages clothes and wastes energy.
  
• Run only full loads in the dishwasher and air dry your dishes. The less hot water your dishwasher uses, the more energy and money you save. When shopping for a new dishwasher, look for a model that allows you to use less water per load.
  
• Vacuum your refrigerator coils once a year. This is particularly important if you have pets. Dog and cat hairs can get into the coils and reduce the energy efficiency of your refrigerator.