Buying energy efficient consumer appliances, with an ENERGY STAR tag, is just not enough to save a desired amount of energy. Rather, you have to know certain tips and tricks which may be sufficiently handy to get the most out of your refrigerator and washing machine.

Washing Machines

Never wash your clothes in haste. You may require to waste energy, unnecessarily, to get them dried using dryer mode. Going for air drying is comprehensively advisable. However, you should know that using a timer while you dry your clothes in a dryer is never necessary. It may cause extra energy consumption. Rather, use auto dry mode or try to find out the exact time your clothes need to dry.

While uploading clothes, always do it judiciously. Under loading or loading the laundry more than its capacity can be detrimental to your energy saving plans. Under loading means you are losing more energy on very few clothes while uploading destroys the inner mechanism of this consumer appliance as doing such seeks much more effort than normal.

Not all the detergent powders or the cakes work with equal efficiency as far as washing your clothes is concerned. The result may vary according to the quality and type of water and the fabrics too. So try to find out a detergent which suits your consumer appliance most.

Using hot water in your machine to wash clothes hardly makes any noticeable difference, unless the dirt and the stains on the clothes are a bit greasy. This is what I have noticed. On the contrary, you end up wasting enough energy while heating the water. So feel contented with the cold-water washing only.

Refrigerators

Maintaining a moderate temperature inside is useful. So keep it regulating and ensure that the inner temperature is never lower than 35-36°F or more than 38-39°F. Breaking this limitation causes extra energy consumption.

Minimize the fridge exploring period. It means don't take too much time while locating an item of your need. Thus arrange your fruits, beverages, vegetables, medicines etc in a proper order so you can find them easily. Doors opened for a longer period imbalances the temperature inside. Also defrost your refrigerator at regular intervals.

Completely sealed doors prove to be a major factor in helping you save maximum energy. So keep it closed at tightly as possible. Ensure that no amount of inner air creeps out. Roll your palms around the door joints and if you feel some moist on your hand, then be sure it indicates a leakage. Get your consumer appliance fixed.

It might sound strange but it is a well tested method to save energy, at some extent though. Like any medicine, experts recommend you to install your refrigerator at a cool and dry place too. Placing it beside fireplaces, or consumer appliances such as heaters or gas stoves play a role of hindrance in their efficiency.