» The refrigerator that served for twenty years in the kitchen still works, and now it's in the garage...
And it's a hot garage. Those old refrigerators are not very energy efficient, but they sure last a long time! In a hot garage that old Coldspot may run almost continuously. The new refrigerator in your kitchen is probably two or three times (or more) as energy efficient, especially if it was manufactured after January 1, 1993. Energy wise, you're much better off organizing all your stored foods into the newer refrigerator and unplugging the old unit. How big a difference in cost can there be? A new, 25 cubic foot high efficiency refrigerator in the kitchen costs about $5 or $6 a month to operate; an old, inefficient unit in a hot garage can cost $25 to $50 a month in summer.

» The refrigerator door won't seal when it's shut, the door is askew or the gasket is damaged...
and cold air is being lost to the kitchen. Years ago our standard advice was: Properly align the door on its hinges and/or replace the gasket. Then we learned that replacement gaskets cost $50 to $80, are hard to find for some older models and are not assured to fit well as replacements. If your refrigerator is 10 or 15 years old and in poor condition, you're probably best off to replace it with new one rather than undertake gasket repairs. After January 1, 1993, new refrigerators are three times (or more) as energy efficient as similar sized units 10 or 15 years old. A new, 25 cubic foot energy efficient refrigerator costs $5 or $6 a month to operate. An old one costs three times as much or more to operate, and may cost much more if it's located in a hot garage.

» The family has a refrigerator in the kitchen, an older refrigerator in the pantry, a freezer in the pantry...
and so forth. Costs rise. If the newest refrigerator was manufactured after January 1, 1993 it's far, far more energy efficient than older refrigerators or freezers. Consolidate stored foods into the newest unit if possible!

» Manual defrost refrigerators and freezers should be defrosted regularly. More than a ¼ inch buildup of frost puts an extra load on the compressor motor.

» Food Storage - Grocery store wrap can act as an insulator. Before freezing meats, wrap them in moisture-proof paper, such as foil or freezer paper. Mark all items to help you find them quickly later, to prevent long searches with the door open. And before you open the door, take a moment to decide exactly what you'll need.

» Freezers are economical when used to store expensive items. Using a freezer to store low-cost bulky items is much less economical. Freezers are most efficient when kept full. This helps prevent loss of cold air each time the door is opened.

» Don't rinse dishes before putting them in your dishwasher; scrape or wipe them thoroughly. If you must pre-rinse, use cold water.

» Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it. Then be sure to use the right amount of dishwashing detergent; follow the recommendations on the brand you use.

» If your dishwasher has energy saving cycles, use them as often as possible. This can save 150 to 250 kWh per year.

» Avoid using the "rinse and hold" cycle; it uses three to seven gallons of hot water. Turn the machine off after the final rinse and let the dishes dry in the hat air or use the "cool/dry" or overnight setting on newer models.

» Keep your dishwasher drains and filters clean.

» Eight percent of the cost of running your dishwasher comes from the hot water it uses. A typical dishwasher uses between 8 and 14 gallons of hot water per load, depending on the washing cycle you choose. Costs will differ for the same cycle, depending on the temperature setting:

10 gallons @ 120°F = 1.8 kWh or $.16
10 gallons @ 140°F = 2.4 kWh or $.22
10 gallons @ 160°F = 2.8 kWh or $.25

Basesd on $.09 per kWh

Start saving by setting your water heater thermostat at 120°F.

» If you're remodeling or building a home, locate your dishwasher as close as possible to you water heater. Heat is lost as it travels from the tank to your appliance, radiating from the pipes. Easy to install pipe insulation can help reduce heat loss.