All major appliances now have energy and water labelling making it easier for us to purchase efficient ones more easily. What we often forget is that once installed at home it is up to us to make sure we use them efficiently.
By using the appliances in your home smartly you will save money and reduce the impact on the environment. Follow these simple tips for your basic household appliances;
Dishwashers
- Always use the economy cycle.
- Only run the dishwasher when it's full.
- Load the dishwasher according to manufacturers instructions.
- Use the economy drying option or eliminate drying altogether by opening the door.
- Clean the filter regularly.
- If you have an off-peak electricity tariff run your dishwasher overnight
Fridges and Freezers
- Place the appliance in a cool position away from direct sunlight or any heat sources.
- Make sure there is plenty of airflow around the back, never put a fridge or freezer in an unventilated cupboard.
- Allow food to cool before putting it in the fridge/freezer.
- Clean the condenser coils on the back regularly.
- If your appliance is not a frost free model make sure you defrost regularly.
- Make sure the door seal is clean and tight.
- Don't open doors more frequently than necessary and make sure you only open them for short periods of time.
- Make sure the temperature is set correctly, freezers should be at -15°C to -18°C while fresh food compartments should be held at around 3°C to 4°C.
Washing Machines
- Only use your machine when you have a full load.
- Use cold water whenever possible and use an appropriate cold water detergent.
- Do not overload the machine.
- Adjust the water level to suit the load you are washing.
- Dissolve detergent before you add it to the washer.
Clothes Dryers
- Only use your clothes dryer when you can't dry clothes outside.
- Don't put soaking wet clothes in the dryer partly dry clothes outside first.
- Don't mix heavy and lightweight clothing together.
- Use high settings for optimum drying efficiency.
- Clean the lint filter before each load.
- Try to do one load after another as this makes the most use of heat from previous loads.
- Make sure the machine is well ventilated.
- If you have an off-peak electricity tariff use your dryer overnight.
Air-conditioners
- Install the unit on the shady side of your building.
- The temperature of a heated room in winter should be between 18-21°C while the temperature of a cooled room in summer should be about 23-26°C.
- When a hot day is expected, turn on the air conditioner early rather than wait till the building becomes hot.
- Keep windows and doors closed.
- Follow the manufacturers instructions for filter cleaning.
Source; Australian Government Department of the Environment
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