• Let your dishes air dry
• A dishwasher uses more energy to dry your dishes than to wash them. If your dishwasher doesn't have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open to let moisture escape.
• When purchasing a dishwasher, look for energy saving features like a short wash cycle.
• Shorter washing cycles with fewer rinses, save water and water-heating energy.
• Use your dishwasher only for full loads.
• Be sure your dishwasher is full but not overloaded when you turn it on. Improper loading can result in poorly cleaned dishes that need to be rewashed.
• Install your dishwasher away from your refrigerator.
• The dishwasher's heat and moisture make the refrigerator work harder. Keep your refrigerator away from other heat sources, such as direct sunlight or next to your stove.

Refrigerators / Freezers:

• Allow foods to partially cool before placing them in the refrigerator. It takes more energy to cool hot food. For added savings, cover foods and liquids. The moisture that is released by uncovered containers increases energy use during the refrigerator's defrost cycle.
• If you have a freezer or second refrigerator that is nearly empty, turn it off.
• Use second appliances only when necessary or have them removed.
• Select a refrigerator with a freezer on top.
• A side-by-side unit uses up to 20 percent more energy. The Energy Guide label will help you choose the most efficient model.

• Replace worn washers in leaking faucets promptly. A faucet that leaks one drop of water each second can waste 200 gallons of hot water a month!
• Tighten or plug leaking joints in hot water pipes.
• Install energy-saving, low-flow showerheads and flow restrictors on showerheads and faucets.
• Get into the short shower habit. A five-minute shower uses far less water than a tub bath.
• Don't let the hot water run while washing hands, brushing teeth, or shaving.
• Make sure that your hot water pipes are properly insulated. Piping insulation guards against heat loss which gets hot water to your faucet faster.

• Check the reliability of your thermostat.
  Place a thermometer next to the thermostat and check the degree readings of each. If they vary more than a couple of degrees, replace the thermostat.
• Don't fiddle with thermostats.
  Set your thermostat at 68° or lower for heating and 78° or higher for cooling. At bedtime, set the thermostat at 55°.
• Never turn your thermostat way up or way down to speed up the heating or cooling process.
  This does not speed up the heating or cooling process and will likely result in over-heating or over-cooling.
• Insulate your home.
  Wall, ceiling, floor and attic insulation will keep warmth in during winter and heat out during the summer.
• Check all insulation and duct work for air leaks.
  Repair leaks as needed, using approved materials and methods. GWP has a program to give you financial help with duct repairs. Check out GWP's Cool Solutions-CheckMe Program.
• Keep draperies drawn and windows closed.
  This will prevent cool air from escaping and warm air from seeping in through glass areas. Weather-strip and seal around all doors and windows.
• Seal off unused rooms.
  Turn thermostats off and leave vents closed in unoccupied rooms to save energy.
• Help your air conditioner work more efficiently.
  During the summer, try to limit the use of heat-producing appliances in the kitchen and laundry areas. Clean or replace filters regularly.
• Turn off lights when they are not being used.
  For added savings, install compact fluorescent bulbs in your lighting fixtures. They use one third of the energy that an incandescent bulb uses and last 10 times as long.
• Install ceiling fans.
  Creating air movement in a room can improve the comfort of the space. Ceiling fans are often all you need to make your home comfortable. They also can cut energy use and cost compared to central air conditioning. And if you have a high ceiling, use your ceiling fan during the winter months to push warm air down to where you need it.
• Leave your exterior lights on...
  and let photocells turn them off. Photocells and/or motion sensors on outdoor lights are an easy way to increase home security. In addition, they save energy because you no longer have to remember to turn these lights off in the morning.
• Plant a tree.
  Use trees, awnings, and overhangs to provide shade around the outside of your home, especially on the south and west sides where the summer heat gain is greatest. Make sure you get the right tree for the right place and one that will provide adequate shade while not interfering with overhead wires or underground pipes.

• Wash full loads only, but don't overload.
  It takes as much energy to wash a small load as it does to wash a full load. Full loads also save water.
• Wash and rinse in cold or warm water instead of hot water whenever possible.
  Remember that energy is used to heat the water as well as run the washer.
• Follow detergent directions for your particular washer and avoid over-sudsing.
  Over-sudsing makes your washer work harder, so always measure detergent carefully instead of estimating the amount to use.
• Dry similar items together in full loads.
  Sort clothes by thickness to avoid running an additional cycle for only a few slow drying items.
• Select the correct drying time.
  Don't over-dry your clothes. Besides wasting energy, over-drying can give clothes a harsh feel and cause unnecessary wrinkling and shrinkage.
• Dry consecutive loads.
  The energy used to bring the dryer up to operating temperature shouldn't be allowed to go to waste.
• Remove clothes from the dryer as soon as tumbling stops.
  If clothes become wrinkled from lying in the dryer, extra energy may have to be used to iron or dry them again.
• Partially line-dry bulky and heavy items.
  Articles such as rugs and bedspreads should be partially line dried to avoid overworking your dryer.
• Clean the lint filter after each load to maintain full airflow and maximize drying efficiency.
  A clogged air filter slows drying and wastes energy.