Energy Saving Tips for Your Appliances

Being environmentally conscious has become increasingly popular in recent years. Thanks to an abundance of information about the environment and global warming, we are trying, now more than ever to cut back on things that will help to reduce our carbon footprint. Cutting back on energy consumption is just one of those things. With appliances accounting for up 12% of energy consumption in Canadian households, buying ENERGYSTAR® certified appliances can have a huge impact on greenhouse gasses. Here are some tips you can use to increase the efficiency of your appliances and boost their energy saving power.

REFRIGERATORS

On average, an ENERGYSTAR® rated fridge uses 10% less energy than a standard model. Here are some tips to save even more energy on your refrigerator.

• Clean the condenser coils regularly. Dust build-up can restrict airflow, causing the motor to work harder and use more energy.
• Allow for airflow inside. Don’t overfill the fridge or freezer compartment.
• Keep the door seals clean and tight to prevent air from escaping. If light from a flashlight placed inside can be seen through the seals, it’s time to replace the seals.

DISHWASHERS

ENERGYSTAR® certified dishwashers use 12% energy than standard models without compromising on their ability to properly and safely clean your dishes.

• The same amount of energy is used no matter how many plates are in the dishwasher. Instead of running multiple small loads, save energy and run one full load.
• Scrape the food off of your plate instead of rinsing it. Rinsing (especially with hot water) wastes water, energy, and time.

STOVES/OVENS/RANGES

Unfortunately, cooking appliances in Canada only meet the minimum energy performance requirements. According to the Natural Resources Canada website, current technology will not allow for these appliances to be any more energy efficient than they currently are. There are however, things you can do to conserve energy where possible when using these appliances.

• Place pots on an appropriately sized burner. Heat is lost and energy is wasted if the burner size is larger than the pot size. For example, a 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner wastes over 40% of the burner's heat.
• Avoid opening the oven door when in use. Each time the door is opened, about 20% of the heat inside is lost.

• With a gas range, keep the burners clean to ensure maximum efficiency. You’ll want to see blue flames; yellow flames mean the gas is not burning as efficiently as it could.
  
  

WASHING MACHINES

ENERGYSTAR® rated washing machines use 25% less energy than standard models and 40% less water.

• Choose the “high-speed” or “extended spin” option to get more water out of your clothes resulting in reduced drying times
• Wash in cold water to save energy. If you have to use hot water, set the water level at the minimum to get the job done, and use a cold water rinse.
  
  

DRYER

An ENERGYSTAR® rated dryer uses 20% less energy than standard models.

• Clean the lint trap after every load to increase air flow.
• Clean out the dryer vents regularly to increase air flow and reduce strain on the motor.
• Sort items by thickness: dry light, quick-drying items in one load and thick items like towels or jeans in another.
  
  

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