If you are looking for a way to reduce the amount of energy you use in your home — and cut your utility bill — there are a few places you can start. One of them is upgrading these 5 appliances to use less energy: your dryer, washer, water heater, thermostat, and refrigerator (and freezer). Upgrading devices might initially cost you more, but it’s a good investment since they will pay for themselves in energy savings.
Here are a few tips on how to upgrade these 5 appliances to use less energy.
Dryer
A dryer is often the number one appliance when it comes to excessive energy use. So, if you want to trim your utility bill, it would be best to start with your dryer.
When in the market for new dryers, search for ones that have an Energy Star label on them. Such dryers have moisture sensors that automatically end the cycle when the clothes are dry. This way, they save more energy than older models relying on timers.
Also, before you opt for a specific model or brand, check what its Combined Energy Factor (CEF) is. You can find the list of CEFs on the Energy Star website.
Another thing to keep in mind is that gas dryers are more efficient than electric ones. Although they cost more, they will pay off in the long run.
Washer
If you are upgrading your dryer, why not the washer too? Washers usually use a lot of energy to heat the water, and older models also use too much water.
So, search for new models that are Energy Star approved. New washers use 25% less energy and almost 75% less water than those made 20 years ago.
Water Heaters
While on the subject of water, you should probably replace water heaters every ten years. With each passing year, these appliances start using more energy but become less and less efficient.
Furthermore, water heaters alone are responsible for 17% of your energy costs. But this information should not come as a surprise, given that water heaters provide hot water for showers, baths, dishwashers, and clothes washers.
So, it would be wise to invest in new, and Energy Star labeled water heaters. But bear in mind that you need to perform regular maintenance after the upgrade if you want to achieve the best possible results. Also, you might want to set the temperature to about 120F — most households do not need more.
Thermostat
A new thermostat is perhaps one of the cheapest upgrades, but will save you up to 15% of your utility bill. Smart thermostats you can find on the market today can automatically adjust the temperature in your home. However, you have to use eco settings to start saving energy and money.
Refrigerators and Freezers
Refrigerators and freezers need a lot of energy to stay cold. Furthermore, they run on electricity all the time. So, if you want to make a significant dent in your utility bill, upgrade to Energy Star fridges and freezers — they use about 50% less energy than their older counterparts.
When buying a new fridge, you should pay attention to model size, placement, temperature settings, and energy-saving mode.
All in all, if you upgrade these 5 appliances to use less energy, you will see the results on your next utility bill.
Conclusion
In the end, it’s about saving energy and helping the planet out. To do this, you don’t have to change every device in your home. You can upgrade only these 5 appliances to use less energy and do good by yourself and the planet.
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