Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean; they will reflect the heat better, and you will save energy.
Clean Burners
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Appliances
Freezing Efficiently
To avoid rasing the temperature of a freezer, freeze no more than one-tenth of the appliance’s capacity of food at one time. Also, be sure to cool foods brefore storing in the freezer. To cool hot food quickly, sit the base of the container in a sink half-filled with cold water.
Pro-Rated Warranties
A pro-rated warranty reduces the amount of reimbursement according to the length of time the item has been in service.
Dryer Exhaust
Check the outside clothes dryer exhaust vent periodically. If it doesn’t close tightly, replace it with one that does to keep the outside air from leaking in. This will reduce heating and cooling bills.
Refrigerator Choices
Refrigerators with the freezer on top are more efficient than those with freezers on the side.
Home Warranties
Home warranties offer you protection for a specific period of time (e.g., one year) against potentially costly problems, like unexpected repairs on appliances or home systems, which are not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Warranties are becoming more popular because they offer protection during the time immediately following the purchase of a home, a time when many people find themselves cash-strapped.
Small Appliance Savings
Use small electric pans or toaster ovens for small meals rather than your large stove or oven. A toaster oven uses a third to half as much energy as a full-sized oven.
Lightning Damage
In addition to direct strikes, lightning generates electrical surges that can damage electronic equipment some distance from the actual strike. Typical surge protectors will NOT protect equipment from a lightning strike. To the extent possible, unplug any appliances or electronic equipment from all conductors well before a thunderstorm threatens. This includes not only the electrical system, but also the reception system. If you plan to be away from your home when thunderstorms are possible, be sure to unplug unneeded equipment before you leave.
Stock Up
A full refrigerator uses less energy to operate than an empty one.
Door Seals
Make sure your refrigerator door seals are air tight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easilly, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal may need to be replaced.
