There are a number of guidelines to control spending through good use of appliances…
Eight Tips to optimize refrigerator and freezer
1- Avoid frequently opening the door or keeping it open too long; take everything you need at once!
2- Do not keep food hot. Do not place or the refrigerator or freezer where out of the sun or near other heat sources. Place them 5 cm. walls and leave free space for air circulation.
3- Do not fill too much or the refrigerator or freezer, the higher efficiency is obtained 3/4 full.
4- Clean at least 1 time per year; a layer of ice covering the freezer increases energy consumption by 30%.
5- Check that the doors are properly sealed; replaces old tires! Tip: Put a paper on the door to close it, if the paper slides have to change tires.
6- Recommended temperatures are: 3-5° C for the refrigerator and about -15° C for the freezer.
7- Unplug them only if you will be absent more than 15 days (not suitable for shorter absences); clean them and then leave them open.
8- The refrigerator is the appliance that consumes the most, estimated that only need a capacity of 50 liters per person (well, a house with 4 people need a 200 liter refrigerator).
Four Tips for using either the stove and oven
Whenever you can use gas stove and oven, rather than electric; you save over 80% energy! And you can also heat food instantly, without having to wait for the hot plate.
1- Cover the pots and keep calls to a minimum; it cooks faster in a pot covered with low flame in an open one with high flame! Whenever possible use pressure cookers, cooking and food in less time and with lower power consumption.
2- The flame and the plate should not exceed the base of the ladle, to avoid waste. Only 2 or 3 cm. free cooking area lost power halfway.
3- If you have an electric hob or cooker, turn it off about 5 to 10 minutes before that foods are cooked; so you can use the heat to finish cooking.
4- Keep tightly closed the oven door while using it. See if the food is made by firing light; every time you open the door 20% of the accumulated heat is lost. Furthermore, preheating before introducing the food is usually unnecessary.
Two essential advice: Always choose energy-efficient appliances (Class A or B) and save up to 50% energy and water!
Electricity
1- The iron is one of the largest consumer appliances: One hour equals 20 hours of television, computer 7, 10 incandescent lamp or 50 hours of energy saving lamp.
2– The TV, video and stereo unit should be unplugged when not in use. The waking state consumes electricity.
Three ways to save on illumination
1- Do not leave the lights on if there is no need. Makes good use of natural light; it is more rewarding and it’s free.
2- Do not use excessive power bulbs selects suitable to the needs of local bulbs. When buying a lamp note that the obstacles to the passage of light bulbs require the use of higher power, resulting in greater energy consumption.
3- Acquire preferably compact fluorescent lamps, which consume 5 times less and last 8-10 times (although they are more expensive, the difference is recovered during the 1st year of use). The light bulbs (compact), consume up to 80% less than traditional incandescent. If you use fluorescent tubes, leave them on if you’ll be away 20 minutes or less.
4- Install windows and skylights instead of lights. People seem to think that the only way you can light your house is with electric lights. But, it turns out, we have a giant, natural source of illumination in the sun. Take advantage of this natural source of illumination by investing a little bit of money in windows and skylights. Experts recommend, and Toledo roofers agree, that skylights can save you a lot on electrical costs in the long run.
Five ways to use the washer and dryer efficiently
1- If you fill the washing machine drum do less washes, the energy consumption for a half-full washing machine is virtually the same as in a washing machine filled (save between 1 and 2 kW of power and 100 liters of water per wash no do).
2- Dispense detergent properly, is not only polluting, but its overuse causes the foam to make work unnecessarily washer engine. The washer works less if you use liquid detergent; if you use solid detergent water before filling.
3- Choose the minimum required temperature for a good wash (usually all washes can be made cold) and use an appropriate program, always lean for shorter! (The power consumption is reduced 6 times and saves between 20 and 50 liters). 90% of the electricity consumed is used to heat water and only 10% to move the motor. (If you connect the machine to the hot and cold water you will not have to use their resistance to heat water).
4- Use the dryer only when you cannot dry clothes outdoors. If you use dryer, centrifuge the most of the clothes in the washing machine to remove excess water (can reduce to 20% the consumption of the dryer). Higher-speed centrifugal is much more efficient and consumes almost the same as a lower speed.
5- A washing machine with energy label Class A (most efficient) can consume less than half the power of one of the G (least efficient) class, allowing throughout his life to save more money in electricity it cost.
Pay attention to the water heater
1- Use solar energy to heat the water used in your home (only need a minimum auxiliary support). If it is not possible to remember that it is preferable to use the electric heater gas (both acquisition and energy costs are cheaper).
2- The electric boiler can assume 30% of the electricity bill. Regulate the thermostat to 60° C maximum (will reduce losses and will increase the life of the equipment). Turn off the heat whenever you’re out and about, if only for a day.
Remember that hot water is wasted when we are needlessly spending two precious assets: Water and Energy!
