Appliances

Energy Star

Products that have the ENERGY STAR label use about 20 to 40 percent less energy than other new models. Click here for more information on the EPA's ENERGY STAR program or click here to consult the National Resources Defense Council's guide to purchasing energy-efficient appliances.

Set your refrigerator temperature between 30 and 42°F and your freezer between 0 and 5°F. Use the power-save switch if you have one and make sure that the doors seal tightly.
Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when full but not over-crowded. If your refrigerator is overloaded, then air may not circulate properly, causing your compressor to work hard and use more energy.

When you use your dishwasher, make sure you are washing full loads of dishes. Also, instead of using the heat cycle to dry your dishes, just open the door and let them air-dry and the next time you need to purchase a new dishwasher find a model that uses less water.

The lint filter in your dryer should be emptied after each use to ensure efficiency.
Heavy and light fabrics should be dried separately. Adding wet items to a load that is partially dry can increase the amount of energy used. Also, use the moisture-sensor setting on your dryer if it has one.
Next time you're in the market to buy a new washing machine, choose front loading models that have high spin speeds. These models reduce drying time and use less water.
Try to wash full loads of laundry. By washing full loads, you can save more than 3,400 gallons of water a year.
Hot water heating can account for 90 percent of the energy used by the washing machine. Washing your clothes with cold water can save the average household $40 a year with an electric water heater, and $30 a year with a gas one.

Do not open the oven door while cooking food. According to the Energy and Environmental Building Association, the temperature inside an oven can lower 25 degrees each time you open the door while it is in use.
Don't line your oven racks with foil— it blocks heat flow and wastes energy.
Avoid the habit of preheating the oven every time you cook. Many foods don't require a pre-heated oven.
Convection ovens work by using fans to circulate hot air throughout the open cavity to speed up cooking. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, you can cut your energy use by about 20 percent when cooking with a convection oven.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy states that cookware that is made from ceramic and glass is found to conduct and retain heat more efficiently than other types of cookware. When you use this cookware, you can lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees and cook foods for the same time.
Foods in covered pans begin boiling and steaming faster, which allows you to use lower temperature settings.