Home Energy Saving Tips-

There are several things you can do in your home to help save energy, which can in turn save you money. Here are just a few.

Refrigerator

• Using a thermometer set your refrigerator as close to 37 degrees celsius and your freezer as close to minus 3 degrees as possible. Make sure that the energy saver switch is turned on.
• Check the gaskets around your refrigerator and freezer doors to make sure they are clean and sealed tightly.
• The best energy-wise configuration for a refrigerator is one that has the freezer on the bottom. The side-by-side models are the least energy efficient. If you are buying a freezer choose the chest type rather than the upright types. Cold air sinks, so the chest type freezers lose less cold air when the door is opened. Keep the freezer fairly full. It takes a lot of energy to cool an empty space.

Washer & Dryer

• Set your washing machine to warm for whites and cold for all other loads. Always use a cold water rinse.
• If it is time to purchase a new washer consider a front-loader or HE machine. These machines work best with low foaming high efficiency detergents such as Sunlight HE.
• Avoid using the tumble dryer whenever possible. Hang your clothes on a line outside or buy a drying rack for indoor drying during the winter.
• If you are purchasing a new dryer consider the gas option. Also check to see if the dryer has a moisture sensor inside the drum instead of inside the exhaust vent. The drum sensor checks how wet the clothes are instead of how damp the air is.

Dishwasher

• Make sure the dishwasher is full before running it and use the energy saving setting if there is one, which will allow the dishes to air dry.
• Load the dishwasher properly. Place the soiled side of the dishes toward the centre of the machine and place larger items along the sides or the back.

Buying New Appliances

• When purchasing any new appliance always look for the Energy Star Label. The government will sometimes offer rebates on appliances, which are labeled energy efficient.
• Buy what you need to suit your family and not the biggest one available.

Lighting

• Switch your incandescent light bulbs with the energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. They may cost more initially but they last 8-12 times longer and only use ¼ the energy. Start by replacing your most used lights.

Fans

• For the winter months clean and reverse the ceiling fans. Turn off the fan and clean and oil the motor and clean the blades. The direction of the fan should be set so that the air flow pushes the warm air down. Hot air rises.

Hot Water Heater

• Wrap your hot water heater in an insulating jacket. Also wrap the pipes leading from the hot water heater. These insulating jackets are usually available at most hardware stores.
• You can use less hot water by installing low-flow shower heads.