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). Take advantage of SAWS' Wash Right Rebates 
• 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.
• Use dryer balls to lift and separate laundry items, allowing hot air to circulate more effectively and reducing drying time.
• Consider a natural gas dryer for greater heating efficiency. Take advantage of CPS Energy’s natural gas rebates 
• Save the cleaning chores until after dark. Dishwashers, washers and dryers emit heat, raising the temperature in your home and increasing the operation of our air conditioner.
• Don't open the refrigerator door repeatedly and don’t leave the refrigerator door open for an extended period of time. Every time your refrigerator opens, cool air escapes and must be replaced.
• Use a cooking pan that best fits the burner. Copper-bottomed pots and pans heat up faster. Use lids to reduce cooking times.
• Use a microwave oven or toaster as an energy-efficient alternative to a conventional oven.
• 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. This label provides information on how much energy the appliance uses, compares energy use of similar products, and estimates annual operating costs.
• Perform a home energy audit of your appliances.

• Turn off the television whenever you leave the room.
• Consider an ENERGY STAR® model when purchasing your next TV, DVD or home theater system. Qualified products use less energy without sacrificing quality or performance.
• 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.
• Use a laptop instead of your desktop computer, if possible, because it uses less energy.
• 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.