5 Energy Efficiency Hacks That Will Change Your Life:
- Check refrigerator seals with a dollar bill. Refrigerator and freezer door seals need
to be regularly replaced to avoid energy loss. Shut the door on a dollar bill – if you can pull the dollar out, the seal needs to be replaced. - Fill your freezer with containers of water. Like your belly, a full fridge is a happy one. Keeping your freezer full uses less energy because it contains less air to warm your food each time the door is opened. Save empty milk/juice containers, fill them up with water and stick them in your freezer.
- Cut laundry drying time in half with a towel. Washers and dryers are some of the biggest energy users in the house. Throw a dry towel into the dryer with your wet clothes to cut your drying time in half. Need to replace your washer? Get a rebate here.
- Stick your pillowcase in the refrigerator. For each degree you raise your thermostat, you can save 1-3 percent on your energy bills. For those warm Michigan nights, instead of turning on the air conditioner, try sticking your pillow case in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before bed. Once you place the pillowcase back on the pillow, it should stay cool long enough for you to fall asleep.
- Keep your oven clean with a DIY oven cleaner. Keeping your oven clean will help it run efficiently by directing all the heat at your food, not the burnt remnants settled at the bottom. For a DIY oven cleaner, form a paste by mixing together:
- 4 tablespoons of baking soda
- 5 tablespoons of vinegar
- a few drops of dish soap
Spread the mixture and let it sit overnight. The next morning, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray generously over the paste. The paste along with stubborn food remnants should wipe right off.
Did you know?
Wi-fi thermostats allow you to control your thermostat from anywhere. That means the next time you’re on an extended vacation, you won’t regret forgetting to turn off the A/C again. As an added bonus, you may be eligible for up to a $100 energy efficiency rebate from Consumers Energy.
Learn more about our energy efficiency rebates and how you can manage your energy use at ConsumersEnergy.com/myhome.
