Dishwasher Tips

1. Check the manual that came with your dishwasher for the manufacturer's recommendations on water temperature. Many have internal heating elements that allow you to set the water heater to a lower temperature.
2. Scrape, don't rinse, large food pieces and bones from dishes. Soaking or pre-washing is generally only recommended in cases of burned on or dried on food.
3. Be sure your dishwasher is full, but not overloaded.
4. Try not to locate your dishwasher next to the refrigerator. The heat produced by the dishwasher will cause your refrigerator to work harder.
5. Don't use the "rinse hold" on your machine for just a few soiled dishes. It uses 3 to 7 gallons of hot water each time you use it.
6. Let your dishes air dry. If you don't have an automatic air dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open a little so the dishes will dry faster.

Laundry Tips

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Energy Star washers

1. Wash your clothes in cold water, using cold water detergents whenever possible.
2. Wash and dry full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water level setting.
3. Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter weight clothes.
4. Don't over dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.
5. Use the cool down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
6. Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
7. Periodically inspect your exterior dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.
8. Purchase an Energy Star washer. Rebates are available through the Energy Efficiency Incentive Program.

Lighting Tips

Do you know that not all Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) are equal?

We all know that CFLs conserve energy and reduce your household utility bills. But did you know that not all CFL bulbs are equal? To find out more, check out Lighten Up in '09 and the Green Lighting Guide.

Click to learn more about CFLs

1. Turn off the lights in any room you are not using, or consider installing timers, photo cells, occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.
2. Use task lighting. Instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops.
3. Lamps placed where their light can reflect off at least two walls, such as in a corner, provide the most light for your money.
4. Make the switch to compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
5. Use T8 4-foot fluorescent fixtures with reflective backing and electronic ballasts for your workroom, garage, and laundry areas.
6. Consider 4-watt mini-fluorescent or electro-luminescent night lights. Both lights are much more efficient than their incandescent counterparts. The luminescent lights are cool to the touch.
7. Take advantage of daylight by using light-coloured loose weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room while preserving privacy. Also, decorate with lighter colours that reflect daylight.

Refrigerator/Freezer Tips

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about Energy Star fridges

1. Look for a refrigerator with automatic moisture control. Models with this feature have been engineered to prevent moisture accumulation on the cabinet exterior without the addition of a heater. This is not the same thing as an "anti-sweat" heater. Models with an anti-sweat heater will consume 5% to 10% more energy than models without this feature.
2. Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 1° to 3°C for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and -18°C for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at -18°C. To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.
3. Keep your fridge and freezer full. Surprisingly, it takes less energy to cool a full refrigerator or freezer than an empty one, provided it is not so jammed that air can't circulate. Fill extra space with gallon jugs of water placed in the back of both the freezer and refrigerator. You can drink the water and use the ice in portable coolers.
4. Open the refrigerator door less. Every time the door opens, warm air rushes in. Energy must be used to cool it back down. If you're cooking, get all the refrigerated items you need for the recipe at the same time. And when you're finished with them, put them back in the refrigerator at the same time.
5. Food safety requires prompt cooling of most hot foods. Cool foods quickly in a cold water bath, or place small items directly into the refrigerator.
6. Always cover everything. Humidity escapes from uncovered foods and liquids. The compressor must work harder to remove the excess humidity.
7. The single most effective way to reduce refrigerator energy costs is to remove or unplug unnecessary refrigerators or freezers. Running a second refrigerator or freezer, particularly an older model, only makes sense when the additional cold storage is needed. Consolidate your fresh and frozen foods into one appliance and you'll see the savings.
8. Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers. Frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running. Don't allow frost to build up more than one quarter of an inch.
9. Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a ten dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator.
10. Move your refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils once a year unless you have a "no clean" condenser model. Your refrigerator will run for shorter periods with clean coils.
11. Buy an Energy Star fridge. Make sure to take your old fridge to the landfill. Rebates are available through the Energy Efficiency Incentive Program.

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