In the laundry room

In the laundry room
Unless you frequent a coin laundry, chances are you rely on your trusty Maytag to get your clothes clean. But did you know that 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water? By using cold water instead of warm, you can cut your energy bill. Here are some other tips to get clothes clean without cleaning out your wallet:
U Don't use too much detergent. Too many bubbles make washing machines less efficient.
U Presoak heavily soiled clothes.
U Wash only full loads of laundry, but don't overload the machine.
U If you choose to wash clothes in cold water, buy a detergent formulated for cold water use.
U Keep in mind that front loading washers use about 40 percent less water per load and about 50 percent less energy than top loading machines.
And here are some energy-saving tips for drying clothes:
U Clean the lint screen before each use.
U Don't overload the dryer.
U Don't mix heavyweight clothing items and lightweight clothing items together. Divide them and dry separately.
U Hang clothes outdoors on a clothesline when weather permits.
U Keep your dryer's outside exhaust vent clean.
U Use a clothes dryer with a sensor that turns the machine off automatically when clothes are dry.
In the kitchen
If you have an old refrigerator, it's time to let that energy hog go. New refrigerators use 50 percent less energy than models made 10 years ago, and since your refrigerator accounts for 11 percent of your household's total energy consumption, buying a new, energy-efficient model can equal big savings.
To get the most out of your new fridge, keep these tips in mind:
U Don't hold the refrigerator open and don't stuff it too full. Refrigerators need proper ventilation and when they are stuffed too full, they have to work double time to keep food cold.
U Cool hot food before placing it in the refrigerator.
U Make sure the gasket on your refrigerator fits tightly. To test it, close the door on a dollar bill. If the dollar slides out easily, the door is probably leaking cold air.
U Keep the temperature of your refrigerator between 36 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A colder fridge requires up to 25 percent more energy to operate.
U Don't position your refrigerator next to a heat source such as a radiator, heating vent, dryer or furnace. Doing so will cause your fridge to work harder.
U When selecting a fridge, remember that side-by-side models use 7 percent to 13 percent more energy than models with a freezer on top.
U Also remember that chest freezers are more efficient than upright models because they are better insulated and because cold air doesn't escape when the lid is opened.
Hate to wash dishes by hand?
You'll be happy to learn that a dishwasher uses 37 percent less water than washing dishes the old-fashioned way. But if you must wash dishes the old-fashioned way, fill one-half of the sink with soapy water and half with rinse water and use only minimal water from the faucet. By doing so, you will use half as much water as the dishwasher does. Here are some other tips:
U If you have an old dishwasher, consider buying a new one. Today's dishwashers are about 95 percent more energy efficient than models made during the 1970s. Another bonus: Most new dishwashers do not require pre-rinsing.
U Let your dishes air dry instead of using the dishwasher's heat dry setting. This will cut energy use by as much as 50 percent.
U Use short wash cycles, and if you must use a pre-rinse cycle, use cold water.
U Install your dishwasher as far away from your refrigerator as possible. A dishwasher's heat and humidity force the fridge to work harder to keep food cool.
U When choosing a dishwasher, look for a model that features a booster heater. This device heats incoming water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can leave your home's hot water heater set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Whether you use an electric or gas stove to cook your meals, follow these energy-smart tips:
U When cooking, keep lids on pots.
U Choose the right pot size for a stove element.
U Check the seal on your oven's door for cracks or gaps. Even a small tear can allow heat to escape.
U Don't cover oven racks with foil. Food cooks faster and better when air can circulate freely.
U Use glass or ceramic pans. Foods will cook just as quickly but at a lower temperature.
U Unless you're baking bread or pastries, don't bother to preheat the oven.
U Turn on the interior light to check food in an oven rather than opening the oven door and peeking in.
U If you're shopping for a new range, remember that self-cleaning ovens are more energy efficient because they usually have better U Also keep in mind that although electric coil elements are harder to clean, they heat up faster than solid disk heating elements or elements under glass.
Sometimes it pays to forgo the stove altogether. Crock pots, toaster ovens, microwaves and electric skillets cost less to operate than conventional ovens. Cooking food in a microwave instead of a conventional oven, for example, can cut cooking costs in half.
Follow these other tips to increase your savings:
U To warm up small amounts of food, use a microwave instead of a conventional oven.
U To heat or cook small quantities of food, use a toaster oven. Toaster ovens use much less energy than conventional ovens.
U Use an electric frying pan. It requires less electricity than a range top for cooking the same amount of food.
U Crock pots not only make tasty meals, they reduce energy use.
In the bathroom
Everybody needs a shower, but do you really need a 15-minute shower? Since nearly a quarter of your home's energy bill is spent on hot water, cutting back on the time you spend in the steam can fatten your wallet.
Here are additional tips to keep your dollars from going down the drain:
U Invest in a low-flush toilet. Otherwise you're flushing 5 to 7 gallons of water away every time you push the handle.
U Repair leaky toilets. A leaky toilet can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water each year.
U A drippy faucet can also waste water in a big way. A faucet that drips fast enough to fill a soda bottle every 30 minutes will waste about 2,000 gallons of water annually.
U Install a water-saving showerhead.
U Take showers instead of baths.
Hot water heaters
Speaking of hot water, did you know that a high efficiency hot water heater can save you about $100 per year? Don't want to buy a new hot water heater?
Here are some ways to get the most out of the one you've got:
U Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
U Buy a hot water tank insulation wrap. It costs about $20 and helps hold the heat inside.
U Save hot water by using cold water to operate the garbage disposal.
In the bedroom
U Turn off the electric blanket when you're not in bed.
U Don't leave the TV or radio playing when you're not using them.
U Don't leave the computer on if you're not using it.
Lighting around the house
Unless you live by candlelight, you rely on electric lights, especially at night. But did you know that certain types of light bulbs are more energy efficient than others? Compact fluorescent light bulbs, for instance, use less electricity and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Follow these tips to keep your home bright at a more affordable price:
U To maximum light output, keep light fixtures free of dust buildup.
U Since light reflects off walls, place lamps in corners for brighter rooms.
U Choose exterior lights with motion detectors.
U Install automatic timers and dimmers to save energy.
U Don't leave the lights on when no one is in the room.
U When shopping for Christmas lights, look for LED lights. They're energy efficient and burn for 100,000 hours.

HOME HEATING AND COOLING
Fireplaces
Ahh, the ambience of an old-fashioned wood burning fireplace. Ahh, the disappointment when you realize they're only about 5 percent efficient and actually suck warm air out of your cozy abode.
Unless you have money to burn:
U Keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.
U Consider installing a new gas fireplace or woodstove insert into your traditional wood burning fireplace.
Furnaces
Whether you heat with oil, wood, gas or propane, you can increase your furnace's efficiency by:
U Keeping the furnace filter clean. Dirty filters block air flow and make heating equipment less efficient.
U Turning back the thermostat at night and using an extra blanket on your bed.
Room air conditioners
Stay cool and save money by:
U Cleaning the filter of your room air conditioner every year.
U Setting the thermostat of your room air conditioner at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
U Closing curtains and blinds on hot days.
U Installing awnings above upper floor windows will keep rooms cooler.
Weather-stripping and caulking
Using caulk to seal your home against winter winds and summer heat waves can keep you comfortable and save you a bundle, but before you grab your caulking gun and go wild, remember that:
U Silicone caulking works best on metal, glass, glazed tile and plastic.
U Acrylic caulking works best on wood and concrete.
U Polyurethane caulking works well on both porous and nonporous surfaces. It is flexible, durable and can be painted.
U To ensure caulking sticks, apply to surfaces that are clean and dry.
U Use weather-stripping around doors and windows.
Landscaping
Perhaps you've never considered how your home's landscaping plays a role in determining the cost of your heating and cooling bills.
U Deciduous trees that provide shade in summer will keep a home cooler.
U Low-growing evergreen shrubs planted along a home's foundation will help keep homes warmer.
U A strategically planted windbreak of evergreen trees or shrubs will block winter winds and help keep homes snug.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy's "A Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficieny and Renewable Energy"