| As we continue with our Care for Creation “make a difference hints”, we will remain in the home. |
Last week we suggested purchasing appliances that had an ENERGY STAR label, but there many other things that you can do with your household appliances and temperature settings to save energy and protect the environment. |
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Here are just a few: |
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| Appliance |
Care for Creation Hint |
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| Refrigerator |
Set the temperature in the fresh food compartment to between 35 and 38 degrees. |
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| Refrigerator |
Set the temperature in the freezer to exactly Zero degrees |
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| Hot Water Tank |
Set the temperature to 120 degrees, that should be quite adequate. |
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| Washer |
Use warm water rather than hot to significantly reduce a load’s energy use. |
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| Washer |
Cold water clearly saves even more energy, but you should use a cold-water detergent to ensure that clothes are properly cleaned. |
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| Washer |
Wash full loads. The washer will use the same amount of energy no matter the size of the load, but this way you wash more laundry with the same energy. |
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| Washer |
Use the high-speed or extended spin cycle to remove as much moisture as possible before drying clothes. |
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| Dryer |
When possible hang your clothes outside or use a drying rack. |
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| Dryer |
Remember to clean the lint filter after every use and put the lint in the trash, never down the drain. |
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| Dryer |
If you do use dryer sheets, scrub your filter once a month, with a toothbrush, to remove firm buildup that reduces air flow and makes the dryer less effective. |
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| Dryer |
Use lower heat settings. Even if the drying cycle is longer, you will use less energy and be less likely to over-dry your clothes. |
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| Dryer |
Use a cool-down cycle and moisture sensor option if your dryer has one. |
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| Dryer |
Consider using wool dryer balls. They help separate clothes and get more air to them, cutting drying time. They also reduce static so you don’t need dryer sheets. |
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So, what is the usual energy use of standard household appliances?
The table below will give you a reasonable idea of what to expect (Source: U.S.E.P.A)
| Appliance |
Energy Usage in Kilowatt Hour (kwh) |
| Dishwasher |
206 |
| Refrigerator |
596 |
| Clothes Washer |
590 |
| Clothes Dryer |
769 |
