The appliances in our homes can use close to a fourth of our total energy costs. Keeping your appliances in good working order and cleaning all vents and air intakes can help reduce costs. Replacing older units with more energy-efficient models can save 40 percent or more.

Household appliances are responsible for about 25 percent of a home’s energy bill. When shopping for new appliances, it is important to watch for the ENERGY STAR label. It’s also important to take design into consideration. For example, refrigerators with freezers on top use 10 to 15 percent less energy than side-by-side models. And doing a single large load of laundry in a large-capacity washer may consume less energy than multiple loads in a smaller washer. When shopping for a dryer, look for one that features a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when the clothes are dry.

If you don’t want to buy new, follow these suggestions to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your current appliances while paying less on your electric bill.

Clean Appliances

Make sure appliances are clean and free of dust and lint to ensure proper ventilation and to increase their efficiency. Defrost your freezer if ice build-up becomes thicker than 1⁄2 inch to increase cooling efficiency.

In addition, make sure refrigerator and freezer doors are sealed tight to prevent cool air from escaping. Replace rubber gaskets around the door if they are worn and are allowing cold air to escape.

Consider a New Fridge

Your refrigerator probably uses more electricity than any other appliance in your home. If it is over ten years old, it may be time to go shopping for a new one. Newer ENERGY STAR–labelled models may use less than half of the energy of your old unit.

Use the Air-Dry Setting

When washing dishes, use the air-dry setting on automatic dishwashers rather than heated drying, or just open the dishwasher and allow dishes to dry naturally. Consider replacing older appliances with ENERGY STAR–labelled models that use less energy and save dollars.

Laundry Tips

Up to 90 percent of the cost of washing a load of laundry goes toward heating the water. Try washing clothes on the cold-water setting with a warm rinse. Reserve hot water for sheets, blankets, baby clothes, and towels to kill germs and dust mites. Always wash full loads or adjust the water level down for smaller loads. If replacing your washer, choose a front-loading, ENERGY STAR–labelled machine, which can use up to 40 percent less water and 50 percent less energy, plus can clean more effectively with less wear and tear on your clothes.

Encourage your family members to wear shirts and other garments twice before washing them. Do you really have to change your sheets each week? Try waiting two weeks or even a month between washings. Make sure everyone uses the same towel for a full week.

Many families wash a load of towels every day. It’s a terrible energy waster.

Adjust and Wrap Your Water Heater

Heating water alone accounts for approximately 17 percent of a household’s energy bill, so it’s a good idea to lower the temperature setting on the water heater to save energy. Also consider insulating it with a water heater wrapping or “jacket” that can be purchased at most hardware stores. It’s a quick-and-easy project that can save you dollars right away.

Also, turn the thermostat down a bit. Many water heaters have factory settings of 140 degrees or higher, but 115 degrees can provide comfortable hot water for most household uses.

It is recommended to replace your water heater if it is more than ten years old with an ENERGY STAR–rated unit. New technologies are emerging that have revolutionized water heating. Point-of-use or “tankless” water heaters can be up to 30 percent more efficient and do not have the leakage problems that tank-style units can have. These are naturally more efficient because they heat the water instantly when it’s needed. They also use less room, so they can be tucked into a smaller space in new construction or remodels. I have one in my own home.

They are also much more efficient for heating a swimming pool or hot tub than conventional heaters.

Also, solar water-heating systems are becoming more popular each year. They usually cost more to purchase and install than conventional water-heating systems. However, a solar water heater can often save you money in the long run, especially if your family uses a lot of hot water. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if you install a solar water heater, your water-heating bills should drop 50 percent to 80 percent, on average. Also, because the sun is free, you’re protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes.

If you are building a new home or refinancing, the economics of energy-saving products can be even more attractive. Including the price of a solar water heater in a new thirty-year mortgage usually amounts to between and per month. Recent federal income tax deductions for mortgage interest attributable to the solar system might reduce that by about to per month. So if your fuel savings are more than per month, the solar investment is immediately profitable. On a monthly basis, you’re saving more than you’re paying. Certain systems may also qualify for federal tax incentives. Visit http://www.energystar.gov for the latest information.

Fix Drippy Faucets

A hot-water faucet that leaks can waste over 200 gallons per month and also triggers the hot-water heater to run unnecessarily.

Turn Up the Temperature on the Air Conditioner

In the summer, wear less clothing in the home and turn the setting on the air conditioner up as high as you can while still being comfortable. Each week, try turning the thermostat up by 1 degree to allow everyone to adjust to a higher temperature. In cooler months, do the opposite.

Three to 5 percent more energy is used for each degree the air conditioner is set below 78. Just a few degrees can mean a lot in terms of dollars saved.

Circulate the Air

Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to circulate air in a room. A fan uses very little energy and can help maintain comfort at a higher temperature.

Just be sure to turn it off when you leave the room.

Turn the Power Off

Shut down your computer, monitor, and other electronics when not in use. In addition to saving energy, electronics that are allowed to power down and cool off will often last longer.

However, even idle electronics often use a small amount of power when they are plugged in. Over time, this usage can cost big bucks.

Idle appliances not only waste energy, but they also create heat, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.

In fact, in the average home, 40 percent of all electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.

Across the United States, this equals the annual output of seventeen power plants. To prevent this, keep appliances unplugged. Also, you can plug home electronics into a power strip and turn the whole strip off when you’re done with them.

Buy ENERGY STAR

Another reason to consider purchasing ENERGY STAR products is that they cut down on the energy wasted when appliances are turned off. Home electronics use energy when they’re off to power features such as clock displays and remote controls. Those who have earned the ENERGY STAR use as much as 50 percent less energy while providing the same features at the same price as less-efficient models. An

ENERGY STAR–qualified computer in sleep mode consumes about 80 percent less electricity than it does in full-power mode. So if you’re thinking of new equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label.

Power Save 1200

The Power-Save 1200™ reduces the amount of power drawn from the utility by storing electricity otherwise lost from the motors in your home. The unit supplies this stored electricity back to your appliances, decreasing demand from the utility. Decreasing demand means less usage and lower electric bills!

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