APPLIANCES AND LIGHTING
Home appliances and lighting account for approximately 25% of home energy use and offer a good opportunity for conservation and efficiency.
Appliances
There are two main ways to cut energy use when it comes to appliances:
1) Don't use the appliance in the first place. Examples include: Line dry clothes when weather permits, get rid of the extra refrigerator in the garage, use the toaster oven to heat up food instead of the full oven.
2) Use up to date, energy efficient appliances.
Refrigerators and freezers are the primary appliance consumers of energy in a home not only because they draw significant wattage but also because they are on all the time. The technology and insulation on these appliances is improving all the time and newer models are much more energy efficient than older models. Your refrigerator doesn't have to be Avocado Green or Harvest Gold to be out of date. If it was built before the turn of the century it's likely that a newer model would save power. Check out this refrigerator calculator for your possible savings.
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Dirty Laundry
Lighting
CFL bulbs (right in each picture) screw into standard fixtures
When electric lighting is needed, Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs) are the most efficient option available. These bulbs use about 70% less electricity than standard bulbs and they can last 5 to 10 times longer. CFLs screw into most existing fixtures just like a standard bulb and the price has dropped significantly in the last few years. Energy Trust of Oregon will even give you several free bulbs if you sign up for a free home energy evaluation.
Where to put the bulbs?
Start with fixtures that are on the most, like the front porch, kitchen, and family room. This will maximize the energy savings, plus frequent on/off switching seems to shorten the life of the CFL. Don't put CFLs in spots where they may be broken (see below) such as tippy lamps and children's playrooms. Most CFLs are not suited for dimmer control. Some CFLs take a few seconds to warm up to their full light output. If instant intensity is needed look for words like "quick start" on the package or place one incandescent bulb into the room fixtures to give quicker light.
What About the Mercury?
CFLs have had some bad press of late because of concerns about the small amount of mercury that is contained in the bulbs. This is a complicated argument: Yes, the mercury is potentially dangerous if it is released into your house or the environment. However, a huge amount of electricity in the United States and especially in Oregon is generated by burning coal, and that process definitely releases mercury into the environment through emissions.
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