In an attempt to optimize your household’s water and energy efficiency, choosing the right appliances is crucial. With the growing scarcity of natural resources and the increasing rate of global warming, environmentalism is no longer something to think about, but rather it’s an absolute necessity that needs to become an inextricable part of your everyday life.
Not only is going green beneficial for the environment, but it is also the first and biggest step you can take towards decreasing your electricity and water bills and making long-term financial savings. While modern appliances do contain a variety of eco-friendly features, you also want to do your part to minimize their impact on the environment. Here is how you can make common household appliances more efficient.
Refrigerator
One of the biggest and most wasteful appliances in any household, aside from the dishwasher and the washing machine, is the refrigerator. Not only do refrigerators consume ample amounts of electricity on a daily basis because they are constantly running, but without proper care and maintenance, the consumption rate can reach staggering levels.
The first rule you need to follow is to clean your refrigerator regularly. As a general rule, you can give your refrigerator a thorough scrubbing every three months, or even more frequently, should you notice excessive dirt and debris accumulation.
Secondly, there is no need for your refrigerator to be constantly running on max power, as modern units are excellent at keeping the food fresh and chilly on lower settings. Finally, be sure to stock up your fridge and avoid running it half empty, so as to minimize energy wastage.
Washing machine
Another extremely wasteful household amenity is the washing machine. The amount of power and water used to wash a load, especially on high heat, can be substantial, thus resulting in inflated bills and an increasingly deteriorating eco-system.
To conserve these precious resources and still make good use of your washing machine, you want to limit the amount of water and decrease the washing temperature, as most stains can easily come off on lower settings. Try using shorter cycles as well, especially if you’re running laundry on a daily basis in order to decrease energy and water consumption.
Dishwasher
Dishwashers have become modern-day necessities in any household, particularly in an environment with a growing family. With so many dishes to clean on a daily basis, the dishwasher truly comes as a godsend for most homeowners. However, it can be extremely wasteful, especially if you’re using an old model. Not only should you limit the amount of water per washing cycle, and lower the temperature, but you should also consider switching to a newer unit if dishwasher repair doesn’t keep your dishwasher running efficiently.
For instance, the new generation of Maytag appliances boasts innovative eco-friendly features such as optimized energy and water consumption and fully programmable washing cycles that allow you to regulate resource consumption. Remember to always look for the energy star on your future appliance.
Microwave
The microwave is one of those kitchen gadgets that fall into the grey category. They are extremely useful, but you can definitely do without them and their substantial energy consumption. The first thing you can do to ensure you’re not wasting electricity is to maintain the cleanliness of your microwave.
If you allow it to get dirty over time, you are wasting energy on reheating the food residue instead of the food itself. Additionally, you can save a couple of bucks on electricity if you stop the timer several seconds before it goes off. Lastly, avoid using the microwave for defrosting, as it consumes too much electricity.
Dryer
Finally, the dryer can put a serious dent in your annual budget, especially if you use it frequently. Instead of running your dryer daily, opt for air-drying your clothes and linens on a drying rack or a line in the backyard. Make sure the washing machine completes the cycle before drying your laundry in the dryer and adhere to regular cleaning and maintenance. Otherwise, the lint and debris accumulation will severely impact the dryer’s performance.
Energy efficiency is no longer an option in the modern world, but rather a duty of every household to uphold in order to leave a healthy world for future generations. Be sure to implement these eco-friendly tips and you will have no problem making long-term financial savings while aiding the fight against global warming in the process.
Author: Lillian Connors
