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Be sure to check out The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2011 designation recognizes the most efficient products among those that qualify for the ENERGY STAR. These exceptional products represent the leading edge in energy efficient products this year.
Conservation Programs
One of the first things to determine is how much energy do I use? EnergyStar answers the question Where Does My Energy Money Go? By looking at where energy dollars go in the average household you can begin to focus on certain areas that can help you save energy and dollars.
By looking at your most recent electric bill you can see how many kilowatts you used last month and over the past thirteen months. Ask yourself is it in line with what you used this month last year. If it has increased could it be because an appliance is breaking down and it is taking more energy to keep it working? Or are your conservaton efforts working and you can see a reduction?
The average household in Wellesley uses over 990 kWh per month. While the average in Massachusetts (non-electric heating) household uses just over 550 kWh. Where do you fall in this mix?
What should you do next? Schedule a home energy audit. Audits are free to all residential customers, and are available by calling the WMLP's sponsored hotline at 1-888-772-4242 or if your home is heated with natural gas you can call 1-866-527-7283 and an audit can be scheduled using NationalGrid's auditing company.
Once the audit is complete, you'll want to begin to implement the items suggested for improvement.
The Wellesley Municipal Light Plant continues to offer an Appliance Rebate program. In it's eighth year more than $200,000 has been rebated to over 1,500 residents. The Appliance Rebate Application currently available is good through February 2012.
There are lots of energy saving hints available by clicking on any of the links below:
Did you know that ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers because there is little difference in energy use among models? Here are some hints from energystar.gov that can help save energy (gas or electricity):
Clothes Dryer Tips
ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers because there is little difference in energy use among models. Here are some ways to reduce energy consumption when using your clothes dryer:
- Use the moisture sensor option.
Many new clothes dryers come designed with a moisture sensor, which automatically shuts off the machine when clothes are dry. Not only will this save energy, but it will also save wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.
Cleaning the filter after every load will improve air circulation and increase the efficiency of the dryer. It’s also an important safety measure.
- Scrub the lint filter regularly if you use dryer sheets.
Dryer sheets can leave a film on the filter that reduces air flow and, over time, can affect the performance of the motor. Use a toothbrush to scrub it clean once a month.
an effective way to reduce your drying costs is to air dry when possible - or switch to a front loading washer that spins clothes more thoroughly so the drying time is shorter therefore reducing the amount of energy consumed.
Good luck - by using any of these hints you will reduce your consumption!
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