Fact:

Lighting consumes 40% of electricity in commercial buildings and is accountable for another 10% for the cost of cooling the heat it produces. Cool Companies

Using Appliances Tips

Home appliances can add to or detract from a home's overall energy-efficiency. The best way to know that a home appliance is designed with energy-efficiency in mind is to look for the ENERGY STAR^® label. This label means that a product meets strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

An appliance has two price tags: what it costs to purchase and what it costs for the energy (and water) to operate it. ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard models. The money saved on utility bills can more than make up for the cost of a more expensive but more efficient model.

Using Your Appliances More Efficiently

Making sure appliances run efficiently can reduce waste and make for a more environmentally friendly home.

Reduce the Energy Use of Your Dishwasher

Try these tips to reduce energy use.

Buying a New Stove

Today, about 58% of American households cook with electricity, but gas cooking is making a steady comeback - for good reason.

Cooking With a Microwave

Fast and efficient microwave ovens use around 50-65% less energy than conventional ovens.

Buying a New Dryer

The major energy consideration is whether the dryer uses termination controls to sense dryness and turn off automatically and, if so, the sensing mechanism used.

Buying a New Washer

The typical American household does nearly 400 loads of laundry per year, using about 40 gallons of water per full load with a conventional washer.

How to Reduce the Energy Use of Your Washer/Dryer

Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy use in half.

Tips for Efficient Refrigerator/Freezer Use

An old refrigerator or freezer in the basement that is just cooling its heels and a few cases of soda may be costing you as much as $100 each year.

Use a Power Meter to Measure Energy Consumption

Use a power meter to find your leading sources of energy consumption to help you to prioritize which products to unplug or to replace.

For Older Appliances, use a Power-Controlling Device

If you have an older appliance, you can use a power-controlling device to reduce the energy consumption of the appliance's electric motor.

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Using Appliances Tips

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