Appliances

Appliances make life easier, but they also contribute significantly to your household’s energy use.

From refrigerators and dishwashers to washers, dryers, and microwaves, understanding how to use these devices efficiently can lead to noticeable savings on your electric bill.

Ensure cords and outlets are in good condition, avoid overloading circuits, and keep appliances clean and well-maintained to prevent fire hazards.

ENERGY STAR labeled appliances, electronics and lights will help you save money throughout your entire home. Look for the yellow label when shopping for new items.

Kitchen

The kitchen can amount to 15-20% of your monthly energy use, which includes appliance use and refrigeration

Turn off coffee makers when not in use.
If rinsing dirty dishes before putting them into the dishwasher, use cold water.
Use cold water for garbage disposal.
Only run dishwasher when fully loaded.

Ensure refrigerator door seals are tight.
Use your refrigerator's anti-sweat feature only if necessary.
Switch your refrigerator's power-saver to "ON" if available.
Clean refrigerator coils annually.
Regularly defrost refrigerator or freezer to avoid ice buildup.
Set the refrigerator temperature to 34^o-37^oF and the freezer temperature to 0^o-5^oF.
Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers. Recycle them if you do not need them.

Laundry Room

Laundry can amount to 5-9% of your monthly energy use.

Clean your dryer's lint trap before each load.
Make sure your dyer's outdoor exhaust door is not blocked or clogged.
Verify the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to both the inside wall fitting and the dryer.
Minimize clothes drying time. Use an auto moisture sensor on dryer if available.
Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load.
In hot weather, avoid running the dryer during the heat of the day.
Consider using a "solar-powered" clothes dryer: an old fashioned clothes line.

Water Heater

Water heating can amount up to 12% of your monthly energy use.

Set both the upper and lower water heater thermostats no higher than 120^oF. For households with 1 or 2 members, a 115^oF setting is best.
Install water heater wrap, also known as a water heater blanket, per manufacturer's instructions.
Drain 1-2 gallons from bottom of water heater each year to reduce sediment build up.
Install heat traps on hot and cold water lines when it's time to replace your water heater.
Insulate exposed hot water lines.
Limit shower lengths to 5-7 minutes.
Fix dripping faucets.
Don't let water run while you are shaving or brushing your teeth.

Electronics

Plug loads around the home can add up to 8-10% of monthly energy use.

Plug electronic devices, such as cable boxes, printers and TVs, into power strips to turn off when not in use. Smart power strips make it an easy task to save money when you don't want to unplug multiple devices.
Turn computers and monitors off when not in use.
When buying a new computer, consider buying a laptop. It uses less energy than a comparable desktop.
Turn large-screen TVs off completely when not in use.
Check for energy-saving settings on flat-panel TVs, such as automatic brightness control and a power-saving sleep mode.
Request an ENERGY STAR set-top box from your cable or satellite provider.
Turn off stereos and radios when not in use.
Enable auto power down feature on gaming consoles.
Remember to turn off hair curling irons and hot rollers.
Make sure electric blankets are turned off in the morning.

2026 Special Elections:

Appliances

ENERGY STAR labeled appliances, electronics and lights will help you save money throughout your entire home. Look for the yellow label when shopping for new items.

Kitchen

Laundry Room

Water Heater

Electronics

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2026 Special Elections:

ENERGY STAR labeled appliances, electronics and lights will help you save money throughout your entire home. Look for the yellow label when shopping for new items.

Kitchen

Refrigerator

Cooking

Connect with Us

Mailing Address

Member Service

Quick Links