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GrandBridge Energy

Conservation

Energy Saving Appliances

Always look for the ENERGY STAR© symbol when purchasing a new appliance. This is your assurance its energy efficient.  Use your appliances early in the morning, in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are lower.

Fridges and Freezers

Fridges and freezers are one of the biggest electricity consumers in the home so it pays to consider an ENERGY STAR© qualified model.

  • A newer model uses up to 50% less electricity as a fridge that is 10 years old.

Here are some tips on how to make your fridge or freezer more energy efficient.

  • Keep your fridge at 4°C and freezer at -18°C for maximum efficiency.
  • Defrost your fridge & freezer twice a year.
  • Ensure the door seal is tight and secure – if you can slide a piece of paper through the seal, it’s broken.
  • A full freezer operates more efficiently than an empty one.
  • Maintain space around your fridge and freezer so heat will be able to circulate away from the compressor and condensing coil – 8 cm (3 inches) between the back and the wall & at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) on each side.
  • Don’t waste energy and space on an oversized freezer if you don’t think you will use it.
  • A chest or top-loading freezer is about 25% more efficient than an upright.

Washers and Dryers

Does Your Dryer Need an Upgrade?

Did you know the electric clothes dryer drains more energy than your fridge, dishwashwer and large flat screen TV combined?  As of Jan. 1, 2015 new North-American standards with ENERGY STAR© approval come into effect.  A dryer with that label will use about 20 per cent less energy than required by minimum standards.

When buying a new model, look for an ENERGY STAR© qualified front-load model to reduce water use by almost 45% and energy use by about 65%.

  • Switch to cold water for your laundry to save $14 or more a month – up to 90% of energy used is to heat water.
  • Do laundry only when you have a full load.
  • Clean the dryer’s lint trap regularly for both efficiency and safety.
  • Vacuum the dryer exhaust hose once a year.

Dishwashers

  • Washing a full load of dishes by hand is less energy efficient than running a fully loaded dishwasher.
  • Air dry your dishes or use the air-dry setting (or energy saver) option or leave the door open to naturally dry dishes. Drying your dishes in the dishwasher uses a lot of energy.
  • Pre-rinsing dishes wastes water since most new dishwashers don’t need it.

Ovens/Stoves

  • Properly match pots to the size of stovetop elements.
  • Preheating is only necessary for baking.
  • Immediately after cooking use the self-cleaning oven feature so it will use less electricity next time.
  • Opening the door releases heat – turn the interior light on to use the oven window to check food.

Small Appliances

Keep other small kitchen appliances unplugged when not in use to reduce electricity referred to as “phantom power” or “standby power.”

Microwave / Toaster Oven

  • Microwaves use up to 50% less electricity than electric stoves.
  • Use a microwave instead an oven to warm leftovers, especially during summer.

Electric Kettles

  • The most energy-efficient way to boil water is with an electric kettle that has auto-shutoff.
  • Keep your kettle free of mineral deposits by cleaning regularly by boiling water and vinegar.

Slow Cookers

A slow cooker uses less electricity than a stove.

More Energy Saving Tips from Save On Energy