Tackling Home Energy Conservation Myths from the Kitchen to the Laundry Room
Many homeowners remember the first energy crisis in the mid-1970s when oil prices skyrocketed 350%, causing the price of gas to exceed $1 per gallon for the first time. Then, during the 1980s, lighting accounted for up to 10% of a household's electricity bill, causing many a parent to scold their children for failing to turn off lights after they left a room.
Fast forward to today, thanks to LED lights being the primary lighting source for most homes where we have designed new kitchens and baths. LEDs use about 10% of the energy required to power an incandescent light bulb. By the end of 2023, however, homeowners will not be able to buy an incandescent light bulb because federal law will ban their sale forever.
Even though lighting represents a small percentage of home energy use, most Americans, when asked how to save energy at home, reply, "turn off the lights," reports The Washington Post. Moreover, that misconception brings to light opportunities to set the record straight for the most effective ways to save on energy bills in the kitchen and other rooms.
Stop washing dishes before you place them in a dishwasher. Today's dishwashers are energy- and water-efficient, using as little as less than 3.5 gallons per cycle; they also can thoroughly clean unrinsed plates. Scraping leftover foodstuffs into the sink or trash bin is all you need to do. Another myth is that if you only have a few dishes to clean, washing them by hand is more energy- and water-efficient. According to a study at the University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Systems, it takes 3 gallons of water to handwash one plate, one bowl, a cup, utensils, and a few serving dishes. The study also found that handwashing dishes use more than 50% of the greenhouse gas emissions than running the dishwasher. For homeowners, running a half-full dishwasher is more energy efficient than washing dishes in the sink. Using the dishwasher also saves time. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates it would take ten days to handwash dishes for a year.
Refrigerators have transformed from one of the most energy-inefficient appliances in the home to one of the most energy-efficient, thanks to technological advances in insulation, seals, and airflow. Common energy-consuming mistakes most homeowners make with their refrigerators are not using the manufacturer's recommended temperature settings and keeping refrigerators past their expiration dates. It is a misnomer to believe that a colder refrigerator preserves food more effectively or for extended periods.
Over 25% of Americans have a second refrigerator, which may unnecessarily increase household energy costs. However, replacing that old refrigerator with a newer, more efficient model will pay for itself in a few years.
Let us move from the kitchen to the laundry room. Today's front-loading washers and dryers use a fraction of the water and energy of older models. It is a myth that using hot water cleans better. Not true. Most washing machines have built-in sensors that tell if clothes are clean, eliminating the need for extra water or heat. Another key to saving energy when washing clothes is to use quick cycles that clean clothes equally and longer cycles.
How can you become more energy and environmentally efficient in your kitchen and home? Call us at 440-543-8050 or visit our showroom at 8454 E. Washington Street in Chagrin Falls, and let us show you how to save money and precious resources.