Refrigerators, washers and televisions are staples of the American home. While we rely on these modern conveniences every day, appliances and electronics comprise more than 20 percent of the energy you use. You can reduce this expense by starving yourself, washing clothes by hand, or reading a book by candlelight. Or, consider an easier alternative – just use these devices as wisely and efficiently as possible.

• Wash and dry only full loads of clothes (to use less energy per pound of laundry).
• Use cold water instead hot water, if possible, when washing clothes.
• Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load to improve the unit’s efficiency.
• Dry loads of clothes back-to-back to take advantage of the heat build-up in the dryer.
• Consider a natural gas dryer for greater heating efficiency. Take advantage of CPS Energy’s Natural Gas Rebates 
• Don't open the refrigerator door repeatedly and don’t leave the refrigerator door open for an extended period of time. If you've got an old fridge, replace it with an energy-efficient model. Take advantage of CPS Energy’s Refrigerator Rebates 
• Try a natural gas cook top for greater efficiency. Take advantage of CPS Energy’s Natural Gas Rebates 
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when purchasing any new appliance. High-efficiency models will result in savings throughout the life of that appliance.
• Check the Energy Guide label when making a purchase.
• Perform a home energy audit, through CPS Energy Savers, of your appliances.

• Turn off the television whenever you leave the room.
• When purchasing your next TV, DVD or home theater system, consider an ENERGY STAR® model.
• Unplug battery chargers for cell phones, digital cameras, MP3s, power tools or other gadgets when they are not being used. These energy vampires can quietly account for up to 10 percent of your monthly energy bill.  
• Shut down your computer and monitor when you’re not using them. Use a power strip/surge protector for these devices. Enable your computer’s power down or sleep mode feature -- screen savers don’t save energy.
• Plug bundled devices into the same power strip such as a TV and DVD player or a computer, monitor and printer. Then turn off the power strip when you’re not using the devices.