In The Kitchen

  • When cooking on a gas stove, make sure that the flame heats only the bottom of the pot. It's not only dangerous for the flame to reach the side of the pot, it's also a waste of energy.
  • Did you know that pre-heating your oven isn't always necessary? When you bake using a non-preheated oven, on average you use about ten percent less energy. To save even more energy, turn on the oven light to check food instead of opening the oven door.
  • Make sure lids fit tightly on pots and keep them on when cooking. Your food will cook more quickly and evenly, and you will use less energy.
  • Turn off the stove 2-3 minutes before the end of cooking time. The element will stay hot while the food continues to cook, reducing the amount of energy you use.
  • To maximize the efficiency of your fridge and freezer, set the temperature of your fridge at four degrees Celsius, while your freezer should be at -18 degrees Celsius. To ensure you've got it just right, pick upImage of food inside of a deep freezer. a fridge thermometer at a major appliance dealer.
  • Did you know that chest freezers are generally more efficient than upright models? That's because opening the door on a chest unit releases less of the freezer's cold air, whereas opening the door on an upright freezer allows the cold air to flow down and out, increasing energy consumption.
  • Do you have an extra refrigerator or freezer in the garage or basement? If you're not using it, unplug the second refrigerator or freezer. This is particularly important if they are older, less efficient models.
  • Make the most of your freezer. Match the size of your freezer with your needs. If you can get by with just your fridge freezer, then unplug your deep freezer and promote energy efficiency.
  • Regularly clean the filter at the bottom of your dishwasher to keep the machine running efficiently.
  • Did you know that rinsing your dishes may not be necessary? Some people rinse their plates in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher. According to Energy Star, you could save water and energy by scraping all excess food off plates and cutlery. Your dishwasher will do the rest.
  • Fill your freezer. Keeping a freezer full uses less energy. Warm air from an opened door will have less space to fill, and any warm air that does get in will be quickly cooled by frozen items already in the freezer. According to Southwest Public Power District, a full freezer uses less energy than an empty one because the frozen food in it keeps the temperature low.
  • Before you put leftovers in the fridge, let hot food cool down first. This will prevent your refrigerator from using extra energy to cool the food.
  • When boiling water, consider using an electric kettle rather than the stove. Heating an element on the stove may use more energy than an electric kettle.
  • According to One Good Thing, regularly cleaning your electric kettle with boiling water and vinegar will remove the mineral deposits inside, which allows your kettle to heat water more efficiently and uses less energy.
  • Next time you're thinking of frying some eggs, reach for the electric skillet rather than using the stove. An electric skillet is more efficient because it uses less energy than a conventional stovetop. It also allows for even cooking across the entire pan with a steady temperature, potentially reducing cook time and energy usage.

Washer and Dryer

Laundry inside of dryer.

  • When using your clothes dryer, dry only full loads, which will reduce your energy usage. Clothes of similar weight should also be dried together.
  • When purchasing your next clothes dryer, buy one with a sensor that will turn off the machine automatically when the clothes are dry. This will help save energy since the dryer won't continue to run when clothes are dry.
  • Dry loads consecutively so that you take advantage of the heat already in the dryer.
  • If you have a load of extra dirty clothes, you can cut down on energy costs by using your washing machine's pre-soak cycle, instead of washing your clothes twice.
  • Rinse clothes in cold water to save money on your water-heating bill. To potentially save more, wash in warm or cold water rather than hot water.
  • After each load of laundry be sure to clean your dryer's lint screen. Not only does a clogged screen increase your energy use, it could also be a fire hazard.

In the Bathroom

  • Install low-flow showerheads and fix leaky faucets to reduce water usage.

Other Areas

  • Did you know that starting-up and shutting-down your computer does not use any extra energy, nor is it hard on your computer components? Shutting down your computer when you are finished using it reduces wear and saves energy.
  • Did you know that the location of your lamps or TV sets can have an impact on your energy bills? Do not place these appliances near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat may sense heat, which could cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
  • When you're looking for new lamps, consider purchasing three-way lamps. They make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light is not necessary, using less energy.
  • Switch out your incandescent light bulbs for energy efficient LED or compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs use less energy and last longer than incandescent ones, potentially saving you money.
  • Use power bars for your home entertainment system and home office. Remember to turn off the power bar when you're not using it, which prevents you from wasting electricity.
  • Contrary to popular belief, less energy is consumed when lights are turned off and on than when they are left on all the time. Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Reducing your everyday energy consumption can be simple with these easy tips. The energy you save could have an impact on your monthly energy bills, leaving more money in your pocket.

Note: These tips are suggested as general practices. However, actual results may vary.