Appliances and Lighting

Dryer Technology

Ventless dryers are usually the most efficient dryers, and can qualify for a rebate. Vented dryers are not eligible for rebates and are not as efficient as ventless dryers, but ENERGY STAR certified vented models will still use less energy than models that are not ENERGY STAR certified. Air drying (using a laundry rack or clothes line) when possible is still the best way to reduce the energy used drying your laundry.

Dryer Tips

Over Drying

Don’t over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.

Residual Heat

Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.

Lint

Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.

Dryer Vent

Periodically inspect your exterior dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.

Moisture Control

Look for an ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator with automatic moisture control. Models with this feature have been engineered to prevent moisture accumulation on the cabinet exterior without the addition of a heater. This is not the same thing as an “anti-sweat” heater. Models with an anti-sweat heater will consume 5% to 10% more energy than models without this feature.

Temperatures

Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 1° to 3°C for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and -18°C for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at -18°C. To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.

Keep Full

Keep your fridge and freezer full. Surprisingly, it takes less energy to cool a full refrigerator or freezer than an empty one, provided it is not so jammed that air can’t circulate. Fill extra space with gallon jugs of water placed in the back of both the freezer and refrigerator. You can drink the water and use the ice in portable coolers.

Close Doors

Open the refrigerator door less. Every time the door opens, warm air rushes in. Energy must be used to cool it back down. If you’re cooking, get all the refrigerated items you need for the recipe at the same time. And when you’re finished with them, put them back in the refrigerator at the same time.

Quick Cooling

Food safety requires prompt cooling of most hot foods. Cool foods quickly in a cold water bath, or place small items directly into the refrigerator.

Cover Food

Always cover everything. Humidity escapes from uncovered foods and liquids. The compressor must work harder to remove the excess humidity.

Reduce Appliances

The single most effective way to reduce refrigerator energy costs is to remove or unplug unnecessary refrigerators or freezers. Running a second refrigerator or freezer, particularly an older model, only makes sense when the additional cold storage is needed. Consolidate your fresh and frozen foods into one appliance and you’ll see the savings.  You can also keep freezers outside (or in an unheated shed or garage) so it is not necessary to plug them in during the colder months.

Defrost

Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers. Frost build-up increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running. Don’t allow frost to build up more than one quarter of an inch.

Maintain Seals

Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator.

Clean Coils

Move your refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils once a year unless you have a “no clean” condenser model. Your refrigerator will run for shorter periods with clean coils.

Fridge and Freezer Technology

Buy an ENERGY STAR certified fridge. Make sure to take your old fridge to the landfill. Rebates for ENERGY STAR certified appliances are available.

Maintenance

• Perform scheduled maintenance on units.
• Keep evaporator coils clean and free of ice build-up.
• Adjust door latches and replace worn door gaskets.

Covers

Put glass doors on display cases or at least use night covers on display cases when customers are away.

Anti-Condensate Heaters

Disconnect anti-condensate heaters or install an Anti-Condensate Controller (ACC).

Fill Refrigerators

Keep refrigerators full (water jugs make good fillers).

Walk-In Freezers

Install auto door-closers and strip curtains on walk-in freezers or coolers.

Industrial Refrigeration Technology

Upgrade your industrial refrigeration systems to a more efficient system. New technology like Freeaire® have already been successfully installed in the NWT and have saved substantial amounts of energy. 

Phantom Power

Turn off computers, monitors, printers, copiers, and lights every night and every weekend. If you can’t turn off the whole computer, turn off the monitor and the printer.

Paper Use

Implement paper-reducing strategies such as double-sided printing and reusing paper. Use e-mail instead of sending memos and faxing documents.

Office Equipment Technology

ENERGY STAR

When purchasing computers, monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers, consider ENERGY STAR certified models that “power down” after a user-specified period of inactivity.

Laptops

Use laptop computers; they consume 90 percent less energy than standard desktop computers and virtually all can be connected to a monitor, keyboard and mouse when used in the office.

Printers

Ink-jet printers consume 90 percent less energy than laser printers, you may be able to use one instead. Purchase appropriately sized copiers for your company’s needs.

Turn Off Unused Lights

Turn off the lights in any room you are not using, or consider installing timers, photo cells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.

Use task lighting

Instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use LED under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops.

Reflective Surfaces

Lamps placed where their light can reflect off at least two walls, such as in a corner, provide the most light for your money.

LED Bulbs and Fixtures

• Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
• LEDs last 3 times longer than CFLs and 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
• LEDs have no mercury, can be dimmable, are very durable, and work well when it is cold.

Night Lights

Consider LED night lights. They are much more efficient than their incandescent counterparts.

Motion Sensors

Install motion sensor lights to turn off lights when nobody is in a room.