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Articles Appliance Tips Dishwasher Telephone Fans Dryer Air Cleaners Refrigerator Air Conditioner Coffeemaker Iron Washing Machine Ovens Kitchens Dishwasher Cleaning Stubborn Stains If your machine doesn’t get the dishes clean all the way, run the hot water at the sink until it gets warm before starting the dishwasher. This will help the first wash water cycle to have hotter water. 120-140 degree water entering your machine not only helps it clean your dishes better, but will also add heat to help dry the dishes in the dry cycle. Dishwasher/Refrigerator---Keep Apart Don’t install your dishwasher next to the refrigerator, since both emit HEAT!!! Insert a panel of insulation between, if they have to be next to one another. Keeping them apart will definitely extend the appliances' lifetime. Dishwasher Use No matter how many dishes you place in the dishwashing machine, the same amount of water and energy are used. Therefore to be more economical, run full loads at all times in the dishwasher! By air drying you will also save, by avoiding the drying heater from running. Nozzle Maintenance Your dishes not getting as clean as they once were? Your water inlet valve might need replacing! This part should be replaced about every 5 to 6 years to keep the right amount of water entering the machine. IN a pinch Don't use dish soap in your dishwasher! ( Normal dishwasher soap is low sudzing soap.) By using dish soap, the machine will fill up with soap bubbles and leak out the vent on the door. MAINTENANCE The seals last much longer if they remain wet and get regular use. Try to use your dishwasher at least once every 2 weeks! Even if you have to run it empty occassionally! Clean the inside of the dishwasher by running it through one cycle (empty) with Tang (the drink mix) instead of soap. It will clean it of built up deposits. Telephone Cordless Phones Remember when purchasing telephones for the home to buy at least one phone that plugs directly into a jack and requires no electricity. Many people buy only cordless phones, which are great for mobility around the house, but don’t work at all when the power goes out!!! The cordless phone base stations need electricity to work. So be prepared for the next storm! Old Phonecord Save the coiled handset cord from your old phone. It works great for wrapping around the wires behind your computer or stereo system-keeping them organized and looking tidier. Fans Ceiling Fans In the winter, save some money on your fuel bill by using your ceiling fan during the winter heating season. Run the fans in reverse (blowing upward) and set the speed control on LOW. The fan will help drive the rising warm air that collects near the ceiling, back down towards the floor-where people need it most to stay warm! Attic Fan Close Up In winter when you aren’t using your whole-house attic fan, unplug the fan or shut off the power to the unit until warmer weather! Cover the fan with polyethylene or something like a large garbage bag . You want to seal it to keep your warm air in the house. If your attic is unheated, you should also put some insulation over the plastic cover. Clothes Dryer Clean the Lint Screen To maintain high efficiency in your dryer, try to clean the lint screen frequently even after each load. If possible, vacuum any visible lint buildup in other parts of the appliance.

Air Cleaners

Before going out to purchase an air cleaner remember that they are designed to remove smoke and dust but not gases, odors from tobacco and bacteria and viruses. The gases from smoke stick to walls, furniture, and clothing and over time seep back into the air. Therefore, it takes over 10 times longer to remove any odors than the smoke particles themselves.

Refrigerator

Refrigerator Coils

Save some money by remembering to clean your refrigerator’s coils either underneath or in the rear of the appliance. Once a month will be of substantial savings on your electrical bill.

Moving Your Fridge

When Moving a refrigerator, ALWAYS keep it upright. Don't lie it on its back or side. If the unit is moved lying flat, let the unit sit up-right again for 24 hours before plugging the unit in and turning it on.

You just moved your refrigerator from house A to house B, and it won’t start...HELP!! Disconnect the power chord, remove the back service panel and check out all the wires. Reattach any wires that have fallen loose from their terminals. Plug power chord back in and your food should be cool soon!

Refrigerator Test

Does your refrigerator have a leaky door gasket? Test the gasket by closing the door on a paper bill. If the bill slips out when you tug on it, either the gasket needs replacing or the door needs some adjusting.

FREEZER SAVINGS

A full freezer uses less energy. Use gallon sized plastic jugs with frozen water in them to fill up any empty spots!

BUYING A NEW FREEZER

Chest freezers are 10-25% more efficient than uprights. They are better insulated, and when opened the cool air doesn't spill out as much. Chest units can be more difficult to organize.

POWER FAILURES

If your refrigerator/freezer experiences a power failure or malfunction, keep the door closed. A full freezer will remain frozen for about 48 hours; a half-full freezer about 24 hours. Refrigerated items will last 4-6 hours depending on the warmth of the surrounding room temperature.

You can extend the length of time things will stay cold by covering the unit with sleeping bags and blankets.

Air Conditioner

A/C Cleanup

Take a few minutes to do some routine maintenance on you’re A/C unit before installing for the upcoming warm season. Replace or clean air filter. Clean coil surfaces and the condensate pan. If you have an outdoor condenser allow an 18 in. clearance around the unit. Double check the manufacturer’s instructions and you should be all set for the summer weather!

A/C Cooling with a whole house air conditioner

To save yourself a few dollars, get in the habit of turning your thermostat up to 82 degrees before you leave the house for 4 or more hours. Keep windows and doors closed to minimize any heat buildup. When you get back home, set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature-don’t waste your money by cooling more than necessary.

A/C Installation

Install your new air conditioner on the north side of your home, out of the sun, if possible. Heat from the sun will make the air conditioner work harder, wasting energy and costing you more money!

Maintenance

Cooling air is costly, so seal all air leaks around your cooling unit. Clean and inspect the filter regularly. On an occasional basis unplug unit and vacuum the evaporator fins, getting the built-up dust off which will help the unit's performance.

Coffeemaker

Cleaner

Never use soap to clean a coffee machine because it leaves a film that affects the coffee taste! Instead mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and run it through the machine. Let it run through its cycle, then refill with clean water, and repeat. A once per month cleaning should be sufficient unless you have extremely hard-water.

Power Washers

Uses

Power washers are a great tool for home maintenance. The water stream of 800 lbs. or more pressure cleans just about everything! Use the washer on house siding, eaves, soffits, porch ceilings, driveways, sidewalks, decks and retaining walls. Try a rental first, if you’re not sure whether you would like to own one! Pay attention to the pressure recommendations, too high a pressure can damage siding or deck boards.

Iron

Cleanout

If your steam iron no longer steams, it might be clogged with mineral deposits. Try cleaning it by filling the water reservoir with vinegar, then set the iron flat on an oven rack, plug the iron in, with the setting at “STEAM.” By the time the vinegar is steamed out, your iron should be clean.

Washing Machine

Cold Water Washes

Cold water washes your clothes as well as warm. Try to eliminate any warm rinse cycles you might be using now, and save a few dollars! Combine two small washing loads into one load, if possible, to also decrease your energy use!

Keep it Clean

Clean your washer once in a while with some vinegar and hot water to clean the soap film and scum that builds up!

Ovens

OVEN EFFICIENCY

To save energy when cooking, don't preheat the oven for items that require more than one hour of cooking time.
The more food in your oven, the more efficient it is. Plan to bake more than one item. T
Look in the oven window to check on what's cooking. Opening the oven door lowers the temperature, increases cooking time and wastes energy.

MICROWAVES

Remember that microwaves cook food on the outer edges of the dish. Arrange the denser foods towards the outside for more even cooking.

Kitchens

KITCHEN TRIANGLE

An efficient kitchen work triangle has the sink, range and refrigerator being between 7 to 9 ft. from one another.

Toe Drawers

Do you have a small kitchen? Think about installing toe drawers in the space below your cabinets! Use heavy-duty extension slides for the drawers and use for many purposes. Ask your local carpenter if you aren't sure how to fit them in!

Clutter Free

Keep your kitchen counter tops free of clutter. Doing this will give you more work area. Appliances that are mounted under the cabinets work well for this. They are out of your way and this gives you more counter space. Have a drawer near the stove for cooking utensils such as big spoons!

Heat Producing Appliances

Try to operate dryers, ovens, and dishwashers in the morning hours or at night to keep your house cooler during the summertime!

New Appliances

Remember to compare energy efficient ratings and annual operating costs when looking at new appliances. A slightly higher initial cost for a high-efficiency appliance could pay itself back in a short time through energy savings and lower utility bills.


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