Save in the Kitchen

• When you can, cook many dishes together when using the oven. If the dishes call for separate temperature settings, just set it in the middle. Adjust cooking times rather than using the oven twice.
• Cook with lids on your pans. For example, cooking spaghetti without a lid on the pot can use three times as much energy.
• Use the smallest pan and burner needed for the job.
• If the oven self-cleans, turn it on just after use, while the oven is still hot.
• Don't peek into the oven as you cook. Every time the door is opened, a lot of heat escapes.
• Contact a qualified heating contractor if your gas burners have a yellow flame instead of blue. Yellow flames may mean the gas is not burning efficiently.
• Seek alternative cooking sources. A pressure cooker cuts cooking time by about two-thirds, and a microwave uses less than half the energy of a conventional electric oven.
• Many dishwashers have energy-saving wash cycles that use less water. Using these cycles can save $5-15 per year.
• Avoid running small loads in your dishwasher.
• A no-heat air dry feature also can save energy by as much as 15 to 50 percent. If you have an older dishwasher, turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse cycle is complete and open the door. This allows air drying.
• Some dishwashers have heaters to boost water temperature up to 140° or 145°F. However, most dishwashers function well at the 120°F setting. If your dishwasher has a booster heater, turn down your water heater thermostat to 120°F.
• If you wash dishes by hand, fill wash and rinse basins instead of letting the water run. This uses half as much water as a dishwasher does.
• Use cold water when running your garbage disposal. Cold water congeals grease better and keeps the disposal cooler, helping the unit run more efficiently.

Save in the Laundry

• Load washers and dryers to capacity, but don't overload. Overloading can cut down on efficiency.
• Use the water level control on clothes washers. Use less water for smaller loads.
• Use the right water temperature for washers. Washing clothes with cold water usually does not affect cleaning results and may reduce shrinkage.
• Follow detergent instructions carefully. Using too much soap makes the washing machine motor work harder.
• Remember that delicate clothes don't require as long a wash cycle as dirty work clothes.
• If the dryer has an automatic cycle, use it. Over drying wastes energy and wears clothes out faster.
• Clean the dryer's lint filter after each load to help keep the machine running efficiently.