Energy for Appliances and Devices

ENERGY FOR APPLIANCES AND DEVICES. PHANTOM ELECTRICITY

BE AN ENERGY MISER: SMALL THINGS ADD UP! TRICKS, STRATEGIES, AND GADGETS TO SAVE MONEY AND HELP THE PLANET

Appliances & Energy Star

Appliances: Buy Energy Star appliances. This provides automatic savings

  • Energy Star Appliances. Energy Star ranks appliances by the amount of energy and money saved.
  • Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers, Dryers, Dishwashers, Dehumidifiers. Ceiling fans
  • Get information online or compare the Energy Star tags at the appliance store for specific products.
  • Get a Microwave oven with an inverter. Saves energy.

 

Appliances: Conservation

  • Purchase new appliances. Avoid purchasing used appliances.
  • Replace old and inefficient appliances whenever possible.
  • Use the energy measuring Watt’s Up Meter to calculate appliance usage and cost. This will help you determine what needs to be replaced.
  • Shut down unnecessary extra refrigerators or freezers
  • Set moderate temperature of refrigerator. Clean refrigerator coils
  • Run washers, dryers, and dishwashers less frequently by doing full loads.
  • Electronics: Buy Energy Star Devices
    • Get Energy Star devices: Energy Star ranks devices by the amount of energy and money saved.
    • Televisions, Telephones, DVD Players, Computers, Monitors, Printers.
    • Get information online or compare the Energy Star tags at the appliance store for specific products.

Conservation & Energy Saving Devices

Electronics: 

  • Turn off TV, radio, and computer when not in use.
  • Set computer to sleep when not in use.
  • Place “nudge” signs as reminders to turn off devices when not in use.

 

  • 24/7 Thermostat. This will limit the amount of electrical energy used for heating and air conditioning.
  • Timer for dehumidifier. Set to go on only so many hours a day.
  • Use battery clocks with rechargeable batteries.
  • ECM Motor on furnace. If you have an older furnace with only an on-off setting, get a variable speed motor and save two-thirds of electrical energy on your furnace. Big savings.

​Phantom Electricity

Phantom electricity or vampire electricity is standby power in force when the device is turned off but not unplugged. Electricity continues to flow so that your device is ready to be turned on.
  • It is called phantom electricity because you do not see it at work.
  • Phantom electricity accounts for 5 to 10 % of the electricity you use in your living space.
  • Using devices to cut off phantom electricity is the same as unplugging the devices.
  • Put plugs into a strip and turn the strip off at night at when away from home. Use a strip for entertainment centers (not the TV itself, since updates are made at night).
  • Use strips for computers, printers, cell phone chargers. Turn off from base.
  • Use switch plugs for kitchen appliances: microwave, toasters, coffee makers, counter ovens.
  • Use switch plugs or unplug cell phone/ipad chargers, pencil sharpeners.
  • Same with table lamps and floor/window fans.

Subsidies and Rebates

​Focus on Energy is a state-wide organization that provides incentives for energy saving and lowering of your carbon footprint.
  • Go to Focus on Energy for rebates for many “residential” benefits, including appliances and thermostats. 

“Environmentalism is much more than a discipline. It is a way of being.” David Suzuki