Tips to save money
The Merced Irrigation District is dedicated to helping its residential customers keep their electric bills low by offering Money Saving Energy Tips. Buying ENERGY STAR appliances is a great way to cut your energy costs and help conserve energy. In addition to purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances, here are some easy things you can do to reduce your energy bill:
Lighting
- Use task lighting. Only use light where needed instead of illuminating an entire room.
- Open blinds and shades, letting natural light brighten up your home.
- Consider three-way lamps. Using softer lighting levels when bright light isn’t needed uses less energy.
- Install compact fluorescent lights
Laundry
- Wash full loads. It takes about the same amount of energy to wash small loads as large ones, so get the most for your money.
- Clean the lint from the clothes dryer after each load. The dryer’s efficiency decreases when lint builds up over the filter.
- Dry similar types of fabrics together. Some fabrics can be dried at lower temperatures than others.
- Line-dry clothes. This can save up to 5 percent on your energy bill.
- Clean the dryer’s outside exhaust. A clogged exhaust lengthens drying time, using more energy.
Refrigeration
- Adjust refrigerator temperature settings. Optimum refrigerator range is 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and optimum freezer range is 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Clean refrigerator coils at least twice a year. Accumulated dirt and dust reduce refrigerator efficiency. Cleaning the coils can also extend the life of your refrigerator.
- Regularly defrost your refrigerator. Frost buildup causes the motor to work harder, increasing energy use.
Cooking
- Cook with a full oven. If cooking multiple dishes, set oven to average cooking temperature of the dishes and cook dishes simultaneously.
- Don’t peek. Opening and closing the oven door lengthens the cooking time, using more energy.
- Use cooking time wisely. Turn off electric range two to three minutes before time is up and let the residual heat finish cooking the dish.
- Use leftover heat as a food warmer once oven is turned off.
- Use microwave ovens whenever possible.
- Use pots and pans that fit the burners. Proper fitting pans absorb more energy, reducing the amount of heat that is lost. SEE MONEY SAVINGS!