Details Matter When it Comes to Saving Electricity
When it comes to washing clothes, the goal is to get your clothes clean. Well – everyone knows that, but if you can also take some detailed steps to reduce your energy usage while still getting your clothes clean.
Clothes do not have to be heat dried. During nice days, use a clothes line or “wind power” to get your clothes clean. If that’s not feasible, use a lower heat setting on the dryer or an indoor clothes rack to take advantage of the air that’s already circulating within your house. Because clothes are already clean, using the most energy efficient means of drying the clothes is more beneficial to you.
Don’t run the washer until you have a full load. If you are going to run the washer, make sure you take advantage of the fact and combine loads. Although you may not wish to mix white and dark colors, because washing machines are so much more efficient in how they work, mixing towels, jeans and dark colors will still come out as clean as if you washed them all separately.
When in doubt, use a cooler level of water. If you usually use hot water, try warm. If you usually use warm water, try cool. You’ll really be amazed that one step of a temperature difference doesn’t make much of a difference in getting your clothes clean.
When it comes to doing laundry, the details do matter! Save yourself some extra cost by following a few simple steps. And – as an added health bonus, if you do use a clothes line, you’ll get more exercise from lugging the clothes basket out and hanging them up on the line.
7. Replace Wisely
When it comes to appliances or electronics, you have two choices: purchasing an energy efficient one or purchasing one that is not energy efficient. The main question, then, is how to tell the difference. After all – if some piece of equipment is not energy efficient, it’s not going to be printed on the label. In order to find the most cost effective appliance, there are some resources you can use.
Always check the label. The US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency have joined forces to create Energy Star (www.energystar.gov). The Energy Star program has built guidelines and will test products to ensure that they meet the most up to date and effective energy efficiency standards. So – when looking at the label, look for the Energy Star sticker.
Do your Research. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (www.aceee.org), which has a consumer guide for sale that specifically details energy efficiency of many name brand products and models. Many times, the manufacturer will also have a portion of their own website that highlights their most efficient products and their green goals.
Check out rebates and special offers. Again – this is on the Energy Star website, but you can actually put in your zip code and select your appliance type to find any rebates or special offers. Check it out here. In addition, the federal government has provided federal tax credits in the past and may do so in the future. Keep checking for updated energy tax credits to see if anything exists that applies to you.
Don’t forget that televisions, computers, computer screens and other home electronics can also be made to meet efficiency standards. Check purchases for that energy star label!
For more tips and information on How to Save on Electricity please visit: http://www.saving-on-electricity.com http://the-energy-opportunity.com.
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