Energy Star

Did you know that there are many options and tips for you to save money on your electric bill? Saving money on electricity goes hand-in-hand with Energy Star rated products. To be Energy Star rated a product must go through third party testing and in order to keep that rating, products are frequently re-tested. However, using Energy Star appliances is only one way to save money and energy. There are many more ways to make your home more energy efficient.

When doing laundry, washing your clothes with cold water rather than warm will save you money on your heating bill as hot water heating accounts for about 90 percent of the energy your machine uses to wash clothes - only 10 percent goes to electricity used by the washer motor. You can also make sure that you wash only full loads. Washing full loads can save up to 3400 gallons of water per year. When drying your laundry, avoid over-drying it. Use the moisture sensor (if you have one) that will automatically turn the machine off when clothes are done. The easiest thing to do to achieve drying efficiency is clean the lint trap after every load. Also, try to dry loads made up of similar fabrics, so the entire load dries just as the cycle ends.

There are tips on saving energy with dishwashers too. To avoid having to use up to 30 gallons of water to rinse dishes in the sink, you can simply scrape food off of dishes before loading them. As with washers, run full loads of dishes whenever possible. Dishwashers use about the same amount of water regardless of how many dishes are loaded so it is important to run it only when full. Lastly, select "no heat dry" options when setting the dishwasher; this setting uses less energy which saves you more money.

Microwaves use energy too and there are ways that you can use them and save on energy costs as well. You can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80 percent when using your microwave for small portions or to reheat meals. This also helps save on a/c costs in summer, since less heat is generated when compared to using your stove or oven.

Ranges come in many different varieties and types. There are general rules to follow when it comes to saving on energy costs. Some of these include using the right sized pot on burners. If you have a smaller pot on a larger burner this can waste a large percentage of the burner's heat. This can save you 36 dollars annually for electric stoves and 18 dollars annual for gas stoves. You can also save by keeping the pots covered to keep heat in. If you have a gas range, keep the burners clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

When taking refrigerators into account, set your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit this will ensure proper cooling of foods. You should also place your fridge in a cool place and not next to an oven, dishwasher or window. Another great idea to save energy is to keep the condenser coils clean if you have an older model. Make sure that you read the user's manual to learn how to properly and safely clean the coils before you begin. Also, check the seals around the doors. They should be airtight. If the seals are not airtight, replace them. Another everyday way to save on energy costs is to limit the amount of time the refrigerator door is open. The less the door is open, the more energy you will save.

Water heaters can reduce energy consumption too. Some tips on reducing energy costs include setting the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If this is set too high, your water heater can cost up to 400 dollars annually. If you have an older water heater you can improve its insulation by wrapping it with an insulating jacket. This will save 30 dollars per year in excess heat loss. Insulate hot water piping can help keep your water from cooling off before it gets to the tap resulting in additional savings. Another way to save on energy costs is by turning electric water heaters off or turning gas water heaters down when you go away for extended periods of time. Water heaters last about 10-15 years. If your water heater is 10 years old, act early and replace your water heater with an Energy Star option before it fails. This way, you can start saving money right away, take your time, evaluate options and have more control of your purchase.

Energy Star qualified room air conditioners use ten percent less energy than standard models. Additional tips on saving energy for air conditioner usage include insulating air conditioners from the outside with an A/C unit cover. This keeps heat from escaping. Also, you could remove window units in their entirety to prevent energy losses. Be sure that window units fit tightly in the window so outdoor air cannot get in. Lastly, make sure that larger window units have their own electrical circuit so that the system does not get overloaded. Saving money and energy doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. You can take advantage of these tips and save money without having to completely change your lifestyle. By making a few simple changes, you can save hundreds of dollars every year.