Efficient use of refrigerators and freezers

• Keep condenser coils clean and unobstructed for maximum energy savings.
• Locate your refrigerator or freezer away from heating equipment, heater vents and direct sunlight. Provide adequate clearance above, behind and on the sides for good air circulation.
• Set the temperature of your refrigerator between 37 and
  40°F, and your freezer at 0°F for top efficiency. The Food and Drug Administration also recommends these settings to prevent rapid bacterial growth.
• Clean door gaskets with warm water or a detergent that leaves no residue since a tight-sealing door gasket is critical to the efficiency of your refrigerator. 
• Keep your refrigerator or freezer full, but do not overload it. Overloading causes the compressor to have to run longer. Place foods slightly apart on shelves, making sure they do not block the unit’s interior air vents.
• Cover all liquids stored in the refrigerator. Moisture can be drawn into the air, making the unit work harder.
  

Cooking appliance tips

• If you have both a large and a small oven, use the smaller one whenever possible.
• Save time and energy by using one oven to prepare the entire meal. A pie or cake can go into the oven as a main dish is removed.
• Warming foods, plates and platters with the oven’s stored heat after baking requires no extra energy. If the food must be kept warm for an extended period of time, set the oven no higher than 140 to 200°F.
• Consider using a microwave oven, small portable electric frying pan, grill, or toaster/broiler instead of the oven.
• Cook by time and temperature. Precise timing eliminates repeated opening of the oven door to check on cooking progress. Each time the door is opened, the temperature drops 25 to 50°F.
• Choose pots and pans that evenly cover the heating elements. Use pans with flat bottoms, straight sides and tight-fitting lids that hold heat and permit lower settings.
• Use a slow cooker or crockpot to cook stews and other single-dish meals.
• Use only enough water to produce steam and prevent sticking when cooking fresh or frozen vegetables. 

Wash dishes wisely

• Washing and rinsing dishes by hand three times a day actually uses more hot water  and energy than one load a day in an automatic dishwasher.
• Run your dishwasher only when it is filled to capacity, but not overloaded. This will cut the costs of energy, water and detergent.
• Use partial-load cycles, rinse-only cycles, mid-cycle turn-offs and other special features designed for better energy use and more convenience.
• Always choose the shortest washing cycle that will clean your dishes, and scrape off accumulated food before loading dishes into the dishwasher.
• Wait to use your dishwasher until night on hot days. You will avoid adding heat in the house during the hottest time of the day.