focusonenergy.com
Home Maintenance and Energy Guide
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APPLIANCE SHOPPING If you are buying new appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label to find the most energy-efficient, high-quality models on the market. ENERGY STAR Savings vs. Standard Models • Refrigerators: are 20% more efficient. • Freezers: have 10%+ higher efficiency. • Dishwashers: save nearly 4,000 gallons of water over the lifetime of the product. • Humidifiers: use nearly 30% less energy to remove the same amount of moisture. Visit the product finder at energystar.gov for information on features, benefits, and cost savings. PAY LESS TO POWER YOUR ELECTRONICS Computers, televisions, and other electronics account for nearly 10% of home energy use. These easy tips can help you save. Purchase ENERGY STAR Models ENERGY STAR electronics are widely available and can provide significant energy savings—as much as 75% savings for certain products. Use Advanced Power Strips Many electronics continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are turned off—this is called phantom energy. Use advanced power strips to avoid paying for power you are not using. You can purchase advanced power strips through Focus on Energy’s Online Marketplace at focusonenergymarketplace.com .
Unplug It As a general rule, unplug electronics as much as possible when not in use. Be Smart With Computers Use the sleep mode or power management settings on your computers and monitors to save energy, keep the equipment running cooler, and help them last longer. COMBUSTION EQUIPMENT AND CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY Combustion appliances produce exhaust gases that should be vented to the outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, moisture, and other byproducts from building up in your home. Follow these steps to maintain your combustion equipment and a healthy home. • Schedule annual tune-ups for your space heating and water heating equipment. • Change your furnace and ventilation equipment filters regularly. • Clean and service your oven per manufacturer instructions. • Keep air intake and exhaust ports on the outside of your home free of obstructions. • Check and clean chimneys. • Keep a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home and test batteries regularly. • Avoid idling a vehicle in an attached garage. • Clean the area around and under your water heater.
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