142 useful answers · Page 5 of 6
Find drafts, understand insulation and window ratings, and use heating and cooling controls more effectively.
Search this topicA chest freezer's top-opening arrangement tends to let less cold air escape during access, and models often differ in insulation and defrost design. Compare annual energy figures for similar usable capacity rather than relying on shape alone. Also consider whether you can reach and organize the contents. A layout that requires long searches with the lid open may reduce the practical benefit for your household.
Follow its manual and check frost thickness regularly. Whirlpool recommends defrosting its manual models at about one-quarter inch of frost. Plan ahead so food stays safely frozen elsewhere during the approved defrosting process. Do not chip ice with sharp tools or use an improvised heater. Regular maintenance is part of the energy advantage of a manual-defrost model, not just a way to regain storage space.
No. Efficiency within a product category does not mean a larger freezer uses the least electricity for your needs. Compare annual energy use, usable capacity and the amount of food you realistically store. Include the space and clearances the unit requires. Choose a size you can keep organized and use regularly, rather than paying to operate extra capacity that is rarely needed.
A screen saver does not substitute for sleep mode. The display remains active, and some screen savers also keep the computer working. Enable the operating system's display-off and sleep settings for periods of inactivity instead. Choose delays that fit your work and any needed background tasks. Test by leaving the computer idle and checking that both the screen and system enter their intended low-power states.
Some games keep the computer active even while paused, preventing the normal idle sleep timer from taking effect. Save your progress and close the game when you are done, then check the system's power settings. Test with other active apps closed if sleep still fails. A paused screen is not proof of low power use; the computer may still be rendering or running background activity.
Its hardware may still be efficient, but you lose part of the benefit when power-management features are disabled. Review display and system sleep settings, especially after changing software or restoring a computer. Use reasonable idle delays and confirm that needed tasks still work. An efficiency label describes tested features and performance; your settings and operating habits influence the electricity used at home.
Using less hot water means the water heater has less replacement water to heat. Compare flow rates and choose a showerhead with appropriate performance certification rather than simply the smallest advertised number. Actual savings depend on shower length, temperature and household use. A lower-flow head does not cancel the effect of much longer showers, so review duration as well as the fixture.
No. EPA's program also evaluates spray force, coverage and flow across a range of supply pressures. Look up the exact model if a seller's claim is unclear. The label helps compare efficient products with tested performance, but fit and spray preference still matter. Check the shower connection and available settings before selecting a replacement, especially if different household members use the same shower.
Blocked registers restrict the intended movement of conditioned air. Move furniture, rugs or long curtains clear of both supply outlets and return grilles, using the system's layout and required clearances as a guide. Check airflow afterward before changing thermostat settings to compensate. Keep a note of persistent hot or cold rooms; an obstruction is a simple check, but it is not the only possible cause.
For most modern dishwashers, scrape off food instead of doing a full hot-water prewash. Follow the dishwasher manual for unusual soils and loading rules. Wait for a sensibly full load while keeping spray paths clear. Rinsing uses additional water and the energy used to heat it, so doing much of the washing at the sink can undermine the machine's water and energy advantages.
Use those outlets for compatible devices that must retain power, such as necessary networking equipment, while reserving controlled outlets for accessories that can safely switch off. Read both the strip and device instructions, and do not exceed the strip's rating. Identify what each socket controls before using automation. Do not place medical, safety-critical or major household appliances on a casual entertainment-system switching setup.
Yes. Very bright store-demo or vivid modes can use more energy than normal home-viewing settings. Check the TV's picture and energy menus and choose a comfortable mode for your room's lighting. Avoid increasing brightness simply to compete with glare that you could reduce with a curtain. Compare the result using familiar content; energy settings should still leave the picture usable for you.
Look for a higher Integrated Modified Energy Factor for energy efficiency and a lower Integrated Water Factor for water efficiency. They measure different things, so the preferred direction differs. IMEF considers more than the wash motor, including water heating, standby and subsequent drying energy. Compare similarly sized machines and check capacity and normal load size before choosing solely by either number.
Yes. A game console can use substantially more electricity for video streaming than a dedicated media player. If your television already supports the service, try its built-in app; otherwise, a small streaming device is an option. Keep the console for games and shut it down properly afterward. Compare the equipment you already own before buying another device solely for small potential savings.
The glass is only part of the window. Frame materials, pane spacing, gas fills and coatings all affect heat transfer. Metal frames conduct heat more readily than materials such as wood or fiberglass, so compare the whole-window NFRC rating rather than pane count alone. Include the frame and operating style when reviewing replacement choices; two panes do not establish an identical overall U-factor.
No. Low-e coatings can be designed for high, moderate or low solar heat gain while also reducing heat transfer. Ask for the actual window's U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient and visible-transmittance figures. Choose the combination for the climate, orientation and daylight you want. The phrase low-e by itself does not tell you whether a window will admit useful winter sunshine or strongly limit summer heat.
Open them when direct sunshine can warm the room, then close them at night to reduce heat loss through the window. On cloudy winter days, keeping them closed can retain the extra insulating layer. Apply this room by room rather than using one permanent position for every window. Keep required ventilation and safe clearances around heaters in mind when arranging fabric coverings.
Lower the coverings during the part of the day when direct sun hits that window, before the room has accumulated the heat. A west-facing room may need a different schedule from an east-facing one. Adjust an automated schedule as the season changes, or make opening and closing part of your routine. The useful action is controlling incoming sun, not simply owning insulating shades.
Try adjusting a top-down/bottom-up shade so it blocks the troublesome portion of the window while leaving another section open for daylight. Recheck the screen as the sun moves; a position that works in the morning may not suit the afternoon. Roller shades are another glare-control option. Choose the material and operating style around the actual window and screen position, then use only the electric lighting still needed.
Open Settings, System, Power Saving, then Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode. Choose an inactivity period that fits your use rather than leaving automatic rest disabled. Check the media-playback setting as well as gameplay. Rest mode reduces consumption but still supports selected background functions. Save your progress normally, and never switch off the wall power while the console's indicator is lit or blinking.
Rest mode can continue powering USB ports, maintaining an internet connection and downloading updates. Each enabled service keeps part of the system working. Under Settings, System, Power Saving, review Features Available in Rest Mode and retain only the services you need. Turning them off can reduce standby consumption, but it also changes charging and remote-download availability. Shut down properly before disconnecting power.
On compatible Rheem hybrid models, High Demand mode supplements the heat pump with electric heating elements to restore hot water faster. Use the model's control panel or supported app and follow its instructions. Return to the normal efficient setting when the temporary demand ends. Increasing recovery speed has an energy tradeoff; repeated shortages during ordinary use merit a sizing or performance check with a professional.
Check whether your model offers Away or Vacation mode, then set the absence duration through its normal controls. This lowers unnecessary heating while you are away and preserves the manufacturer's control logic. Allow recovery time before expecting a full supply of hot water on return. Follow the model's return-to-service instructions, especially after a prolonged absence, rather than assuming every water heater has identical vacation settings.
That setting prevents the unit from adding ordinary electric resistance heating, so it favors efficiency over rapid recovery. Check whether your usual shower and laundry pattern leaves enough time between large draws. A compatible Hybrid mode can help with occasional higher demand. Persistent shortages need a professional review of sizing and setup; selecting the hottest temperature is not a substitute for adequate hot-water capacity.
Source checks for these answers: September 23, 2026. Product instructions and local requirements can vary.