Summertime Energy-Savings Tips

The California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center says "The average home spends about $1,900 a year on energy costs. But you can lower your energy bills and help save the environment at the same time!" Here are some fast and free energy-savings tips:

- Be a speedy chef. Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking than your microwave. It uses two-thirds less energy than your stove.
- Push a button to wash your dishes. Surprise! Your dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Then let dishes air-dry to save even more!
- Fill up the fridge. Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. So your fridge doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool.

Maintain your Large Appliances

As the holiday season begins, make sure your appliances are prepared for the demands you will place on them.

- Pull your refrigerator from the wall and clean the condenser coils in back with a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Also, vacuum dust from the front lower grille and clean the drip pan and the drain leading to it (if your unit has one).
- Clean the oven and stove drip pans on your electric range. Clean the surface burner on your gas stove to ensure proper flame level.
- De-stench your in-sink garbage disposal by packing it with ice cubes and 1/4 cup of baking soda; then turn it on. After the ice-grinding noise stops, pour a kettle full of boiling water into the sink.
- Check the dishwasher strainer and washer arm; clean if necessary.