Expert Advice/FAQ

Refrigerators with freezer compartment located on the top are typically more energy-efficient, than those with freezer on the bottom. Refrigerators with in-the-door ice dispensers are usually less energy-efficient than those without.
Allow freshly prepared foods to cool down to room temperature before putting them away in the fridge, or freezer. This will help maintain a continuously cold environment inside.
Try not to leave the door of your refrigerator open. The longer it is open, the more cold air escapes, forcing the refrigerator to cool down the interior temperature more often.
Keep your refrigerator full, even if you prefer to go out to eat. The cold items in your fridge will help lower the temperature after each time the door was opened. Even keeping a couple of jugs of water in the refrigerator can boost efficiency by reducing the cool-down time.
Adjust the temperature setting to the correct temperatures between 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help maintain a consistent temperature for longest quality food storage.
If the electric power goes out, keep the fridge doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cool for up to 6 hours, and a freezer can remain cold for up to 24 hours.

Clean the lint compartment of your dryer after each use cycle, in order to maximize safety and energy efficiency.
Do not block or crush the dryer vent hose by moving the dryer too close to the back wall.
Try not to add more wet items to a dryer load that is almost completely dry.
Keep external materials like paper napkins, or coins out of the dryer by inspecting clothes’ pockets, prior to starting each dry cycle.
Try not to over-fill the dryer beyond its recommended capacity. You can always run a second load separately.
Do not put clothes in the dryer that have spills of flammable liquids on the fabric.
Try to maintain the area around the dryer clean and unobstructed. Clean the area behind the dryer regularly to remove any lint and dust accumulation.
Do not run the dryer while you are asleep or out of the house. If the dryer were to malfunction, there would be no one to intervene and remedy the problem.

Front door loading washers are typically more water and energy efficient, than the top loading washers.
Try to leave the washer door open in between loads, so that excess moisture can evaporate, leaving the washer fresh for the next load.
Try to wash multiple items together, rather than washing one or two pieces of clothing at a time. This simple step will maximize both water and energy efficiency of your washer.
Use moderate amounts of detergent for each wash. All washers are designed to infuse your clothing with detergent during the wash cycle. Adding the correct amount of detergent will save you money in the long run.
Try to remove clothes from the washer promptly after each cycle. This will help eliminate unnecessary wrinkles, as well as maximize the washer efficiency by not double-washing clothes that could become stale from being left in the washer.

When using the oven, try not to open the oven door unnecessarily. This will help minimize heat loss and save you money in the long run.
Try to use good quality baking pans with higher heat conductivity. By cooking in glass or ceramic dishes, you can set the oven to 15-25 degrees Fahrenheit lower, which will save you money.
Cooking mixed ingredients in the same pan on the stove can help reduce cooking time and save energy.
Pans with copper or aluminum bottoms, as well as pans with vertical sides and flat bottoms tend to be most efficient in terms of better heat conductivity and reduced heat loss.
With most baking needs, it may not be necessary to preheat the oven. Placing foods in the oven, as soon as it is turned on, may save you time and money in the long run.
Using a lid when boiling water can speed up heat accumulation and reduce cooking time.
Match the size of your pot to the correct size of the stove burner. This will help cook food evenly and maximize stove efficiency.

Never put any inorganic materials into your kitchen sink disposal, such as spoons or forks, food packaging, or metal lids from bottles.
Allow cold water to run while operating your kitchen sink disposal.
Placing raw or cooked meat leftovers, especially bones, in the sink disposal is not recommended.
Giving even a short run to the sink disposal every time you use the sink is recommended. This will help prevent water buildup in the sink, as well as clear any food particles from the mechanism.

Most kitchen plates have writing on the bottom to indicate if they are dishwasher safe. Follow these recommendations.
Do not place items soiled with toxic substances, like cigarette ash, into the dishwasher. Such items will likely contaminate the entire dishwasher load.
Try to use the correct amount of dishwasher liquid, and select the appropriate wash cycle.
Run hot water in the kitchen sink for a few seconds, before starting each dishwasher load. This will allow hot water to reach the dishwasher sooner and result in cleaner dishes and a more effective wash.
Never put dishes in the dishwasher with big chunks of food still on them. These larger chunks of food may not exit from the inside of the dishwasher properly, and may end up clogging the system.