Dishwashers
- Only run the dishwasher when it is full (not overloaded).
- Let dishes air dry instead of using your dishwasher’s heated dry setting.
- If your dishwasher has an internal heating element that boosts water temperature, set your home’s water heater to 120°F.
Refrigerators
- Set the temperature at 35˚– 38˚F for refrigerators and 0˚F for standalone freezers.
- Keep the door closed as much as possible.
Additional Kitchen Energy Tips:
- Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean; they will reflect the heat better, and you will save energy.
- Cover pots and pans when you cook. You’ll use less energy.
- Match the size of the pan to the heating element.
- Use small appliances such as toaster ovens, electric pressure cookers, microwave ovens, or convection ovens for small meals rather than your large stove or oven.
Laundry
- Warm or cold water is generally sufficient to clean your laundry; most of the energy used by clothes washers goes to heating water. Using warm water instead of hot can cut a load’s energy use in half, and using cold water will save even more.
- Try to wash full loads and use an appropriate water setting if you must wash a small load.