HOME ON THE RANGE

 

America's refrigerators consume 7% of the nation's total electricity the equivalent of more than 50% of the power generated by all of our nuclear power plants.

 

BACKGROUND.

Energy specialists repeatedly stress that we can have a significant impact on the environment simply by properly maintaining major appliances like refrigerators, stoves, airconditioners, etc.

 

That's easy to saybut most of us don't know how.

 

Here are a few examples of the simple ways you can save with your appliances. But there's lots more to learn. Write to the American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy (see Sources) for info.

 

DID YOU KNOW

If all consumers raised the settings of their air conditioners by 6

degrees, we could save the energy equivalent of 190,000 barrels of

oil every day.

 

More than 25% of the average city apartment dweller's electrical

costs can go for refrigerators.

 

Washing machines use about 14% of water consumed at home.

 

Microwave ovens use only 1/3 to 1/2 as much energy as conventional ovens. Toaster ovens are more energy efficient, too.

 

STOVE / OVEN TIPS

If you're buying a gas stove: An electronic ignition system will

use about 40% less gas than a pilot light

 

The pilot light and burner should be burning with a blue cone­

shaped flame. If it's yellow, burners and ports are clogged or need

adjustment. Pipecleaners work well for unclogging the gas ports.

 

AIRCONDITIONING TIPS

 

Don't switch your air conditioner to a colder setting when you turn it on. It won't cool the room any faster and will waste energy. 0 Clean or replace the filters once a month. Otherwise the fan has to work harder and consumes more electricity.

 

REFRIGERATOR TIPS

If your refrigerator and freezer are 10' colder than necessary, your

energy consumption will increase up to 25%. Check the tempera,

tures of yours: It should be between 38' and 420; the freezer should

be 0' to 51.

 

For efficient operation: Clean the condenser coils on the back or

bottom of your refrigerator at least once a year. (There's a special

brush you can buy, or you can just vacuum it.)

9 Keep the door gasket clean to make sure the seal isn~t being brok­

en by driedon food.

 

WASHER & DRYER TIPS

 

You'll save a lot of water if you wait till you've got a full load of

wash. Washers use 32 to 59 gallons of water for each cycle.

9 Up to 90% of the energy used for washing clothes goes to heating

the water. A warm water wash and a cold rinse will work just as

well as a hot water wash and a warm rinse on nearly all clothes.

(The temperature of the rinse doesn't affect cleaning.)

 

Clean your dryer's lint trap after every load to keep the air circu­

lating efficiently.

 

RESULTS The American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy estimates that if each of us increases the energy efficiency in our major appliances by 10 to 30%, we'll reduce the demand for electricity by the equivalent of 25 large power plants!

 

SOURCES 0 As we mentioned earlier, your local electric utility is probably a good source of information on energy conservation. Most utilities have literature dealing with the tips listed hereoften in more detailand many provide lowcost home energy audits.

 

The American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy,

1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 535, Washington, D.C.

20036. They have the most comprehensive information we've found on

appliance efficiency and purchasing new appliances. Recommende ' d

heartily: Booklets entitled "The Most EnergyEfficient Appliances" and

"Saving Energy and Money With Home Appliances." Each is $3.