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Energy Savings Ideas, Cutting Electricity Costs, Appliances, Efficiencies, Phantom Loads

There are some nasty rumors of late that electrical rates in New England, and elsewhere, may go up 20% - 50% over the next few months. There is an organization called Efficiency Maine www.efficiencymaine.org.  Their mission is to help Maine businesses and citizens consume electricity more wisely. In a recent newsletter they suggest:

  > Replace Incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs) - CFLs give the same amount and quality light as traditional bulbs, using 1/3 the amount of energy and last ten times longer. A CFL can save over $30 in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime and save 2000 times their own weight in green house gases.

  > Reduce Phantom Load - Many appliances continue to draw power when they are switched off. This is referred to as a “phantom” load and can be found in such appliances such as VCR, TV, computers, stereos, etc. In fact 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the appliance if “off”.

  > Wash cold - I read this many years ago and have been doing it ever since. And,  it’s big. Use lower temperature settings on your washing machine, preferably the cold cycle and always use cold for rinses. The temperature of the rinse water does not affect cleaning. Load the washer to capacity (fewer washes). The real energy zapper is the dryer. Take clothes outfox the dryer while they are slightly damp to reduce the need to iron. Over-drying can cause shrinkage, generate static electricity and shortens fabric life. Recently, I started using a “dry rack” for towels. they cost $20 - $40 and if you have the room, it completes the dry.

  > Use the smallest pan. I am a big pan guy until today. Use the smallest pan to do the job. Smaller surfaces require less energy. Match the pan to the element size. A 6″ pan on an 8″ burner wastes over 40% of the heat produced by the burner. Don’t preheat your oven - the tendency is to let it heat beyond the necessary temperature. And, cook several dishes at the simultaneously in the oven.