Use your computer’s power management settings and monitor them in sleep mode when not in use. Shut down the computer when you are done. Disconnect battery chargers or AC adapters when not in use. Use with connected devices even if they are not actively charging. Turn off the electronics for the home using the Advanced Power Strip (APS) when not in use. For example, when the TV is not in use, the advanced power supply can automatically turn off accessories such as DVD players, game consoles and sound systems, or the computer can turn off the computer. Printers, scanners and sound systems. Turn off the game console when not in use and avoid long breaks.
Lower the brightness of your TV or computer to a comfortable level. Use a DVD player instead of a game console to watch movies. Recycle your old electronics so they do not end up in landfills and reduce the energy needed to produce new products.
Fridge and freezer – great ways to save
Think about what you should get from the refrigerator before opening the door.
Set your refrigerator to 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. All of the above is a waste of energy. Keep the fridge and freezer full so they do not have to work so hard to stay cold.
Place the refrigerator from a heat source, such as an oven, dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window.
Leave a few inches between the wall and the back of the refrigerator for air circulation.
Make sure the seals around the door are airtight. Otherwise, replace them.
Make sure that the capacitor coils are cleaned and that air can circulate freely. Read the operating instructions to learn how to clean the wheels safely. Rinse brushes can be purchased at most hardware stores.
Consider replacing and reusing older refrigerators manufactured before 2000. Older refrigerators often use more than four times more energy than newer models.
If you are buying a new refrigerator, a refrigerator with a top-mounted freezer is usually the most efficient. And choose the least that meets your needs. In general, the larger the refrigerator, the more energy it consumes.
Use your dishwasher as efficiently as possible
Scrape the dishes instead of rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher.
Many dishwashers offer a variety of washing cycles to accommodate high-level dishes such as pots and pans. Use less water for regular meals to save money.
Use the dishwasher at full load and use the option of air dryer or “no heat” to save power.
If you wash by hand, fill wash and rinse water tanks instead of running out of water.
Cooking without wasting heat
Keep the burners clean in your gas area for maximum efficiency. Blue flames mean good combustion, while yellow flames mean that maintenance may be needed to ensure efficient combustion of the gas. Check that the oven door seal is worn. A clean seal ensures better heat retention. Keep mirror reflectors clean to better concentrate heat.
Shorten the cooking time with lids that fit well in the pots. Use the smallest kettle and burner needed for the task and the adjustment. A 6-inch boiler in an 8-inch burner wastes more than 40 percent of the burner heat. Using a microwave or toaster to heat or prepare small portions saves energy. In particular, it saves cooling costs in the summer because less heat is generated than a stove or oven. If possible, cook several dishes together while using the oven. Avoid looking into the oven while cooking. Heat is released when the door is opened. Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of going directly from the freezer to the oven or thawing in the microwave.
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