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07/28/2022 12:00 AM

25 Money and Energy Saving Tips


After the recent heat wave, many of us probably anticipate a higher-than-normal electric bill for air conditioning. Following is a list of money- and energy-saving tips:

1.Turn off lights when not needed.

2.Replace incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLS), which last longer and use as little as one quarter of the energy.

3.Check your appliances for standby modes, meaning they still use energy even if not in use. Put them on a power strip and turn the strip off when not in use.

4.Use electric washers, dryers and dishwasher after 8 pm, when electricity costs are lower.

5.Household appliances should be run when they are filled to capacity.

6.Wash clothes in cold or warm water.

7.Use a clothesline for drying, when possible.

8.Do not use the “drying” cycle on your dishwasher. Let dishes and cutlery air dry.

9.Use cold water when running the disposal and rinse dishes by stopping up the sink instead of using running water.

10. A lid on a pot of water will make it boil faster.

11. Never use your oven to heat the kitchen. It’s expensive and dangerous.

12. Frozen meat should be thorough thawed to reduce cooking time (and energy use).

13. Use microwave or toaster oven when possible as alternative to oven, which uses more energy.

14.Refrigerators should not be near other heat-generating appliances or in direct sunlight. Also, leave several inches of space behind and around it for air circulation.

15.Every three months, clean condenser coils underneath or in the back of refrigerator of freezer to increase efficiency.

16. Let hot foods (except cooked meats) cool before refrigeration.

17. Refrigerator temperatures should be set from 38 to 40 degrees; freezers at 5 degrees.

18. Reduce how often you open the refrigerator door

19. Save water by turning off the tap when you shave, brush teeth, or wash.

20. Reset your hot water heater to 120 degrees and turn it off when you leave home for extended periods such as vacation.

21. Wrap the hot water heater with an insulation blanket if allowed by manufacturer.

22. Showers are better than baths. A three-minute shower uses half what it takes to fill a bath.

23.Keep the thermostat at 65 degrees during the day or lower. At night, set to 55 degrees.

24.Install clock thermostats that automatically control heating / cooling.

25.Open drapes to allow the sun to warm a room or close them for cooling.

BONUS: When buying appliances look for the Energy Star label.

The North Haven Clean Energy Task Force reports once a month on ways to save energy and money.