Here’s how to save money on all your appliances during the warmer months

This is one thing we can’t avoid doing – laundry is a necessity! But we can use our washing machines in more efficient ways. Firstly, make sure your machine is the right size for your needs. If you only need it to wash two peoples’ clothes, a small machine is best.

How to save energy:

• Use cold water cycles
• Always wash a full load
• Always adjust the water level if your wash is less than full
• Soak stains before washing
• Plan your washes ahead
• Keep your machine in good working order and clean it every six months using these tips.

Dryer

It goes without saying but the most efficient, cost friendly way to dry your clothes is to hang them on the line. But when the weather gets hot, it is also storm season and not every day is perfect for hanging out clothes.

If you do decide to use a clothes dryer, here’s how to use it more efficiently:

• Clean the lint screen between uses – Keeping your lint screen clean is one of the best ways to ensure that your dryer is working efficiently
• Use a lower heat setting such as delicates or permanent press
• Use the moisture sensor setting (if possible)– This setting will tell your dryer to use its built in moisture sensor in order for it to determine when it needs to turn off.
• Dry for less than 40 minutes
• Clean it every six months using these tips.

Refrigerator

We use our fridges every single day, but how often do we stop and think about how we can be making it one of our more efficient appliances?

Here are some tips:

• Keep it away from heat, like the oven because it will work harder if it is
• If your fridge is 10 years old or more, than you should defrost when the ice builds up more than 63mm in the freezer. If it gets too frequently built up, considering a newer, more efficient model.
• Set your fridge to a constant temperature of 1.6 degrees.
• Cover all food – When you leave food uncovered the moisture will be absorbed into the air and this will then make the compressor work harder to remove it. Another reason why you should cover all your food is to prevent the smells of other foods mixing together.
• Cool food before refrigerating – Hot foods, like soup needs to be cooled before entering the fridge (cool for 10 mins but be aware that bacteria does not start to grow). The reason is simple, the fridge will have to work harder to cool it down so by letting the majority of heat escape, it will allow the fridge to work as normal.
• Don’t pack it full – the air needs to circulate.

More tips/explanations here.

Dishwasher

Dishwashers are so convenient, but you need to be clever about how you use them. Did you know that most of the energy used in your dishwasher is used to heat the water?

Save money on your power bill by:

• Only run a full load – if you have less, hand wash.
• Use the economy cycle to use less water
• Scrape excess food scraps into the bin.
• Clean the dishwasher regularly using these tips.