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  • Category:
    Home Energy Savings
  • Published:
    January 17, 2012
  • Updated:
    March 28, 2022

Three ways to conserve energy while using your appliances

Conserving energy can go beyond just lowering your thermostat. At BGE HOME, we take great pride in helping Maryland residents make their homes more energy efficient.

There are many things you can do right now to start saving energy around your home that are independent of the weather outside. Here are three tips to conserve energy while using your household appliances.

Tip 1: Unplug your appliances or chargers when not in use.
Electronics and chargers still utilize energy when not in use; it’s best to unplug products to save energy.  Switching off power strips disconnects electronics completely from consuming power. Devices that are plugged in and on standby mode costs the average household $100 a year.

For more information, check out these links:
http://energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home_tips
http://www.doe.gov/articles/are-energy-vampires-sucking-you-dry
http://energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=manuf_res.web_based_tools_prodspec

Tip 2: Purchase Energy Star products
When searching for a new appliance to replace an old or broken item, shoppers should look at energy efficient appliances. Most energy efficient appliances carry an Energy Star label. Energy Star is a government initiative to save home owners money by motivating companies to create appliances that reduce energy consumption. According to energystar.gov, “Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $18 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to annual emissions of 33 million vehicles.”

For more information, check out these links:
http://energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=manuf_res.web_based_tools_prodspec
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=most_efficient.me_index

Tip 3:  Maintain your appliances that use the most energy.
You can do some easy maintenance to some major household appliances that can help to reduce the amount of energy you use every month.

Refrigerator 
-Clean the coils on your refrigerator to improve energy efficiency by up to 30%.
-Position the refrigerator away from heat sources.
-Change the internal temperature of your refrigerator to 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit in the fresh food area.
-Move your refrigerator two to three inches away from the wall for better air flow.
-Defrost ice in your freezer to prolong the life of the refrigerator motor.

For more information, check out this link:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=refrig.pr_best_practices_refrigerators


Washer and Dryers  

-Always use full loads in your dryer.
-Remove lint from the filter in your dryer after every use.
-Dry heavy and light clothes separately.
-Use “auto dry” whenever possible to avoid running the dryer longer than necessary.-Use the “cool down cycle” on the dryer.-Use the “high speed” option in washer to reduce the moisture in clothing, for a faster dry time.

 

 


Water Heater 

-Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees.
-Insulate first six feet of hot water pipes.
-Use cold water to wash your clothes.
-Install water saving shower heads.

For more information, check out these links:

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/ CONS/docs/Tips2.pdf

BGE HOME is a subsidiary of Constellation Energy. BGE HOME is not the same company as BGE, a regulated utility.

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