First Steps Toward Green Energy
Appliances
Energy Star Appliances
It goes without saying, you should buy Energy Star rated appliances whenever possible. The Energy Star assures that you have a highly efficient product that can save about one-third on the energy costs with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. Energy Star helps you make the energy efficient choice.
Dryers
As of yet, no dryers have received an Energy Star rating for the fact that they all use about the same amount of energy
to dry clothing. Gas dryers are a little more efficient than all electric ones. Some say that they prefer gas over
electric, they comment on a faster drying time and less static cling. Whether you purchase a gas or an electric model,
look for one that comes with a moisture sensor to limit the drying time to only what is needed.
Clean Dryer vents
Not only should you clean the lint trap every time you do a load of laundry, but at least twice a year you should pull the dryer away from the wall and clean out the entire length of the vent hose. While you have the dryer pulled out, you should also vacuum behind and under the unit. In doing this, you will keep the unit running at its peak efficiency plus have the added benefit of reducing the chance of a fire.
Line Dry
Line drying is the most energy efficient option, although not always practical, it can save you approximately 5% of your total energy bill. If you have the space in your laundry room, basement or garage, you could set up a clothes line or a drying rack, extending your savings into the colder/wet months.
Washer
Use cold or warm
Most of today’s laundry detergents are formulated to use cold or warm water. By using hot water you are wasting energy needlessly.
Front load washers
Front load washers will usually cost more upfront but you can save $550 in operating costs over its lifetime compared to a regular clothes washer.
Pros:Energy Savings: Horizontal-axis clothes washers can save as much as 60 percent of the electricity used by traditional washers.
Water Savings: Front loaders use one-third of the water used by most top-loaders cleaning the same volume of clothes.
Laundry Detergent Savings: Front loaders use 75% less detergent than conventional top load units.
Drying Time: The high-speed spin cycle on front load machines extracts most of the water, so drying times are reduced, saving even more energy. Drying time is reduced one-third of that required with regular washing machines.
Easier on Clothes: The washboard action is gentler on clothes than the typical agitator found in most Front load machines
Tougher on Dirt: When used properly horizontal-axis washers get clothes cleaner.
Greater Load Capacity: Horizontal-axis clothes washers do not have the center agitator, adding capacity and allowing larger pieces i.e. bedding.
Cons:Long Cycle Time: models can take from 30 to 90 minutes to wash a load, depending on which setting you choose.
Lower to the Ground: Loading and unloading these machines requires bending, since the door is on the front. Perfect for those in wheelchairs, the lower access could be tough for those with back problems. To raise the washers, manufacturers sell pedestals for around $100.
Complex Repairs: Front loaders are more complex than top-loaders, so repairs can be expensive.
Dishwasher
It is hard to believe but using your dishwasher can save you more water and energy than if you washed by hand.
- Select an ENERGY STAR dishwasher
- Use the air dry cycle, if you are worried about water spots, you can use a rinse agent.
- Wash full loads, anything less than 75% full negates any energy savings.
- No need to pre-rinse, new dishwashers come with food grinders in the drainage system, so you are wasting water and any energy used to heat that water by doing so.
- New dishwashers allow you to turn down the water heater temperature to 110-120 degrees. The dishwasher will heat up the water used to 140 degrees to better sanitize the dishes; hotter then you could stand if you washed by hand.
Freezer
Freezers, they are not something you get into every day plus the fact that they are often put in a garage or basement;
you tend to forget about them but freezers can really add to your energy usage.
If you have the option, locating a freezer in a basement can be your most energy efficient choice. Basements, in general
have a more consistent, cooler temperature; therefore the unit will use less energy to cool its contents. The heat
extracted from the freezers contents would not be transferred to conditioned living space; saving additional energy by
not having to recondition the heat extracted.
- ENERGY STAR qualified freezer models use at least 15% less energy than required by current federal standards and
- 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001.
- Purchase the appropriate freezer size for your needs. The greatest efficiency is attainted if the freezer is kept at about 75% full. The contents act as an energy sink, storing cold previously generated in the mass of the food. If you cannot keep your freezer 75% full of food, storing bags or blocks of ice will help.
- Position your freezer away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight.
- To allow air to circulate around the condenser coils, leave space between the wall, cabinets and the freezer and keep the condenser coils clean.
- Make sure the door seals are airtight.
- Keep your freezer set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Minimize the amount of time the freezer door is open.
- Recycle older or second freezers.
Chest or upright freezer
It is best just to compare the energy consumption numbers provided on the models you are interested in as it really comes down to your preference. Yes, with a chest model, less cool air will spill out of the freezer when the door is open but if you keep the freezer 75% full you have less air to escape and the mass to keep it cool. The down side to an upright freezer would be if you left the door open unintentionally or if the door seals where in poor condition. I chose an upright, because it is easier to retrieve foods and I can see what I have thus reducing wasted food.
Refrigerator
Most of the freezer energy saving strategies will apply to refrigerators as well.
- ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use at least 15% less energy than required by current federal standards and 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001.
- Purchase the appropriate refrigerator size for your needs. The greatest efficiency is attainted if the refrigerator is kept at about 75% full. The contents act as an energy sink, storing cold previously generated in the mass of the food.
- Top/bottom models are generally more efficient than side by side ones.
- Position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight.
- To allow air to circulate around the condenser coils, leave space between the wall, cabinets and the refrigerator and keep the condenser coils clean.
- Make sure the door seals are airtight.
- Keep your refrigerator set to 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Minimize the amount of time the refrigerator/freezer door is open.
- Recycle older or second refrigerators.
Cooking Appliances
The microwave oven is the appliance of choice in the kitchen; it can save up to 75% compared to a conventional stove top or oven. A microwave oven is still very energy intensive but it saves energy overall by the reduction of cooking times.
If you must use an oven, match the size of the appliance to the meal; if a smaller toaster or pizza oven will work, use it instead, it will save energy.
When the weather is nice, consider using an outdoor gas grill or solar oven, you will keep the house cooler saving additional air conditioning costs.
