CONSUMER TIPS
HEATING WATER ACCOUNTS FOR 15 PERCENT OF ALL ENERGY USE. DON'T WASTE IT.
Repair leaky faucets promptly.
Do as much household cleaning as possible with cold water.
Insulate your hot water tank and piping.
Install aerators and low-flow shower heads.
Buy a water heater with thick insulation on the shell. The initial cost may be more than one without this feature, but the savings in energy costs over the years will more than repay you.
Add insulation around the water heater you have now if it's inadequately insulated. Be sure, though, not to block off needed air vents. If in doubt, get professional help.
Consider setting your water temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Most water heaters are set for 140 degrees or higher. You may not need water that hot unless you have a dishwasher.
ENERGY SAVERS FOR KITCHEN, LAUNDRY AND BATH
Kitchen Energy Savers
When buying new appliances, compare the Energy Guide labels of competing models of the same capacity to determine their annual energy cost ranges. The energy thrifty machines will be more economical over time.
Install an aerator in your kitchen sink faucet. This lowers flow only slightly, but reduces the amount of water that needs to be headed.
Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean. They will reflect the heat better and save you energy.
Match the size of the pan to the heating element. Remember, water will come to a boil faster and use less energy in a kettle or covered pan.
On your electric stove, turn the burners off several minutes before the allotted cooking time. The heating element will stay hot long enough to finish the cooking. The same applies to electric oven cooking.
When using the oven, make the most of the heat from that single source. Cook as many foods as you can at one time.
Use pressure cookers and/or microwave ovens. They save energy by reducing cooking time.
If you must rinse dishes before putting in dishwasher, use cold water.
Be sure your dishwasher is full, but not overloaded, when you turn it on.
Turn off automatic air-dry switch, and let them air dry.
Don't use the "rinse hold" on your machine for just a few dishes. It uses three to seven gallons of hot water each time it is used.
Laundry Energy Savers
You can save energy in the laundry by using your automatic washers and dryers less often and more efficiently.
Wash clothes in warm or cold water, rinse in cold. You'll save energy and money. Use hot water only when absolutely necessary.
Wash only full, but not overloaded, loads.
Don't use too much detergent. Follow instructions on box. Oversudsing makes machine work harder and use more energy.
Presoak or use a soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments.
Fill clothes dryers but do not overload.
Keep the dryer lint screen clean.
Keep the outside exhaust of dryer clean. Check it regularly.
If you dryer has an automatic dry cycle, use it.
Dry your clothes in consecutive loads. Stop-and-start drying uses more energy because a lot goes into warming the dryer up to the desired temperature.
Separate drying loads into heavy and lightweight items. Since the lighter ones take less drying time, the dryer doesn't have to be on as long for these loads. Leave small, lightweight items until last.
Save energy needed for ironing by hanging clothes in the bathroom while you're bathing or showering. The steam often removes the wrinkles.
Bathroom Energy Savers
Take showers rather than baths, but limit showering time and check the water flow if you want to save energy. It takes about 30 gallons to fill the average tub. A shower with a flow of three gallons per minute uses only 14 gallons in five minutes.
Consider installing a flow controller in the pipe at the showerhead. These are inexpensive and easy-to-install and can restrict the flow of water to three to four gallons per minute.