Household Appliances – How Proper Use and Care Can Save Energy
Many new household appliances are designed to be more energy-efficient. Some display an Energy Star rating, signifying that the appliance has been tested according to the EPA’s standards for efficiency and performance. This energy efficiency is good for the planet and your energy bills. However, whether you have newer appliances or older models, using them properly can help reduce your energy costs. Here are some tips to help you maximize the efficiency of your household appliances, reduce your energy consumption, and save a little money.
Cool Down
There are a couple of ways to save energy in the laundry room. Let’s start with the washer. 90% of the energy it uses is to heat the water. Using the warm or cold water temperature setting on your washer can reduce your energy consumption. It provides a couple of other benefits as well. Unless you’re washing whites or extremely dirty items such as work clothes or dirty cloth diapers, hot water really isn’t necessary. Many of today’s detergents are formulated to provide the best results in cooler water temperatures. Hot water can also be harsh on your clothes, causing shrinking or fading. Your clothes will last longer and your washer will be more efficient if you turn down the water temperature. The same goes for your dryer. A lower temper setting will save energy and your clothes. Air drying can help as well. Whether inside on a drying rack or outside on the clothesline, it will give your dryer and your clothes a break.
Fill To Capacity
Many of your appliances are more efficient when operated at full capacity. Your washer and dishwasher use the same amount of water and energy if you fill it up or run it half empty. If you run these household appliances only when full, you will have to run them less often. Your refrigerator and freezer are more efficient when they are full. Keeping them stocked provides thermal mass to help them maintain lower temperatures. This can also be beneficial in the event of a power outage. The fuller they are, the longer your refrigerator or freezer will keep your food at a safe temperature. It’s important to remember though, not to overfill any of your appliances this could cause damage.
Alternate Cooking Methods
While the stove is the go-to appliance for many people, there are other household appliances in the kitchen that use less energy and save time. Your microwave uses 30 to 80 % less energy than a conventional oven. Think about it. You can cook a baked potato in 10 to 15 minutes in the microwave. That could take an hour in an oven set at 500 degrees. While it is much more efficient, the microwave isn’t always the best method. A toaster oven will typically provide the same results as a conventional oven and again, use much less energy. Let’s not forget the crockpot. In addition to using less energy, you just fill it and forget it until it’s time for dinner. What could be easier?
Maintaining Your Household Appliances
An essential step to caring for your household appliances is to keep them clean. This will allow them to operate more efficiently. Keep the trap and spray arm of your dishwasher clear of food particles. Clean the condenser coils of your refrigerator with a coil brush or a vacuum cleaner. Clean the lint trap every time you use the dryer and regularly clean out the exhaust hose. This will not only help your dryer operate more efficiently but it will help prevent your dryer from becoming a fire hazard.
It’s also important to have your household appliances professionally serviced if they aren’t working properly. Operating an appliance that needs repair can cause them to work harder, use more energy and result in unnecessary wear and tear. Jersey Coast Appliance has a team of professional appliance service technicians, master technicians, and certified support personnel dedicated to serving our customers with honesty and integrity. .We offer a variety of services, including 24/7 emergency service for issues that need immediate assistance. We also carry a wide variety of replacement parts in stock, including Kenmore parts. Contact us for all your household appliance needs from repair to replacement.
