Introducing 10 cheap-and-easy projects you can mark off your Kill-a-Watt Challenge to-do list this weekend.
[For a more comprehensive list of energy-saving activities, see Tips and Resources.]
1) Run only full loads in the dish- and clothes-washers, and air dry as much as possible (choose the permapress setting on your clothes dryer).
2) Weather-strip your doors: If the strip along the inside of your door frame is brittle or broken, it’s time to replace it.
3) Clean your air-conditioning filter; if it’s time to buy a new one, make sure it has a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 6 or higher. Also, make sure there’s no high grass or other yard debris obstructing the air flow into your air-conditioner’s condenser.
4) Stock your freezer: It runs best when fully loaded. If it’s already fully loaded, just make sure the air can still circulate around the food. (Another tip: Austin Energy recommends that you set your fridge temperature at 36 to 38 degrees and your freezer at zero to 5 degrees. You can test the temperature by leaving a thermometer in your fridge for 10 to 15 minutes – be ready to read it the second you open the door.)
5) Vacuum your refrigerator coils: Your fridge will run better and be less hairy, too!
6) More refrigerator advice: Replace seals and adjust latches if they’re not working properly. (How do you know if they’re working properly? Close the door over a dollar bill: It won’t easily pull out if the seal and latch are behaving.)
7) Caulk the plumbing around your sinks to prevent leaking air.
8) Install an inexpensive (homemade works, too) cover on your kitchen exhaust fan to avoid letting hot air in from the outside.
9) Unplug anything you’re not using. TVs, microwaves, alarm clocks, cell phone chargers … these all tend to use electricity even when they’re off. Don’t feel like plugging and unplugging things all day? Combine as many plugs as you can onto power strips with on/off switches. That way, when you’re done with your microwave and coffeemaker, you can turn off their power strip; when you’re finished watching TV and playing video games, you can turn off their power strip; and so on.
10) Still using incandescent lightbulbs? Stop that! Go out and get some compact fluorescents bulbs right this minute! (As soon as you print out this coupon.)
This article appears in August 17 • 2007.