Month: May 2020

By Posted on Posted in Energy
Energy Saving Tip #4 from the Dunbarton Energy Committee

4. Clean out the dryer vent.

As lint collects in your dryer vent, the drying cycle becomes less efficient and runs longer, wasting money. If the vent becomes blocked, it’s a fire hazard. So take advantage of a warm spring day to clean out the dryer duct and vent, being sure to follow safe practices. A few more ways to save energy while drying laundry:
  • Make sure your washing machine spin cycle is working well so your dryer uses less energy
  • As warm spring days arrive, hang your clothes out to dry, and
  • Set the dryer to the delicate or medium heat cycle, which uses less energy overall.

Energy Saving Tip #5 from the Dunbarton Energy Committee

5. Turn off the coffee maker after your morning cup.

Many coffee makers have a warming mode that can stay on all day and use more energy than you might think. For instance, when heating for the first time after being off, the peak usage of a Keurig coffee maker is 1,500 watts. If the power is kept on, the brewer will keep the internal tank up to temperature using between 200 – 400 watts when heating. While idle and not maintaining heat, the brewer will still use the average electricity of a 60 watt light bulb. That idle heat alone translates into $60 on your annual electricity bill, without taking account the energy usage during warming mode.
For pot coffee makers, instead of letting the coffeemaker warm, use your microwave to reheat a mug of coffee and switch off the coffeemaker sooner. Not leaving your coffee maker on warm will also make your coffee taste better on subsequent cups.