We keep hearing that all of our appliances should be energy efficient. That a household can save a lot of its energy costs by taking a few easy steps. Have you ever wondered how true those statements are? Well, they are true, and here are the facts about our home appliances.

According to the Department of Energy, 33 percent of your household energy costs come from everyday appliances. Your water heater is number one in energy usage in your house, with the clothes dryer, refrigerator and desktop computer following closely. One of the biggest energy uses that you can control is running your home appliances more efficiently.

Here are some tips:

• Washers – Always run as large a load as possible, use cold water. If you are considering replacing your washer, a top-loading machine is more efficient than a front loading machine. Wash with the appropriate water level for the load.
• Dryers – Make sure that the lint screen is cleaned after every load. Don’t over load or over dry your load. Dry heavy items separate from lightweight items.
• Refrigerator – Don’t stand in front of an open refrigerator (Be honest, we’ve all done it). Cutting down on the number of times you open the door keeps the inside evenly cold. Keep the coils and condenser clean and free from dust. Don’t locate a refrigerator/freezer in an area where there are extremes of heat/cold (i.e. direct sunlight, garage).
• Ovens – Keeping the oven and stovetop clean, and doors shut improves efficiency of your appliance. Use microwave ovens for smaller jobs.
• Dishwasher – Run with a full load and use the air dry or no heat function.
• Personal electronics – Turn off or unplug computers, copiers, stereos and small kitchen appliances when not in use. These appliances have “phantom” loads that constantly draw power. Unplugging these small electronics can save you a lot in a year’s time.

Saving energy by doing small things, not only helps you save money, it also benefits the environment.