Test Your Efficiency Smarts

1. Today's most efficient 20-cubic-foot refrigerators use up to half the electricity of a 1993 model.

True

False

o The yellow EnergyGuide label on new refrigerators tells you how much electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) a particular model uses in one year. The smaller the number, the less energy the refrigerator uses and the less it will cost you to operate.

Explanation

o The yellow EnergyGuide label on new refrigerators tells you how much electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) a particular model uses in one year. The smaller the number, the less energy the refrigerator uses and the less it will cost you to operate.

2. This winter, lowering the thermostat from 72 degrees down to 70 or 68 degrees won't matter much in terms of comfort, but each degree you lower the thermostat can cut your heating bill by about 2%.

True

False

o For “free” heating on sunny days during the winter, keep the curtains open on windows facing south and west. Also, make sure to move furniture away from the air registers.

Explanation

o For “free” heating on sunny days during the winter, keep the curtains open on windows facing south and west. Also, make sure to move furniture away from the air registers.

3. The ideal temperature setting for your refrigerator from a health and efficiency standpoint is between 36 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

True

False

o To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.

Explanation

o To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.

4. Lighting accounts for up to 10% of the typical home's total electric bill each month.

True

False

o Some tips to become more energy efficient with lights throughout your home include cleaning your light fixtures regularly, turning off lights when leaving a room, and providing task lighting over desks, tool benches, etc., so that activities can be carried on without lighting up entire rooms.

Explanation

o Some tips to become more energy efficient with lights throughout your home include cleaning your light fixtures regularly, turning off lights when leaving a room, and providing task lighting over desks, tool benches, etc., so that activities can be carried on without lighting up entire rooms.

5. Weather-stripping and sealing your home against outside air leaks can save you what percentage of your energy bill?

1-5%

5-30%

Reducing air leaks and drafts in your home can make it more comfortable as well as energy efficient.

Explanation

Reducing air leaks and drafts in your home can make it more comfortable as well as energy efficient.

6. Screen savers are energy savers.

True

False

Using a screen saver can actually use more energy than not using one, and the power-down feature may not work if you have a screen saver activated. In fact, modern LCD color monitors do not need screen savers at all.

Explanation

Using a screen saver can actually use more energy than not using one, and the power-down feature may not work if you have a screen saver activated. In fact, modern LCD color monitors do not need screen savers at all.

7. You can significantly reduce hot water use by making sure its temperature is set to 120 degrees.

True

False

Check by placing a thermometer under a hot water faucet. Simply repairing leaks in fixtures—faucets and showerheads—can save money on your water bill too. Also make sure the water heater’s tank is cool to the touch. If not, wrap an insulating blanket around it.

Explanation

Check by placing a thermometer under a hot water faucet. Simply repairing leaks in fixtures—faucets and showerheads—can save money on your water bill too. Also make sure the water heater’s tank is cool to the touch. If not, wrap an insulating blanket around it.

8. Refrigerators use about what percentage of a home's electricity?

5-15%

20-30%

35-40%

o Keep your refrigerator filled to capacity, but don't overcrowd to the point where doors cannot be closed or air cannot circulate. Also, vacuum the condenser coils (underneath or behind the unit) every three months or so.

Explanation

o Keep your refrigerator filled to capacity, but don't overcrowd to the point where doors cannot be closed or air cannot circulate. Also, vacuum the condenser coils (underneath or behind the unit) every three months or so.

9. Heating water in your home accounts for what percentage of your monthy energy bill?

5-10%

15-25%

30-35%

o You can cut your water heating bills by using less hot water with low-flow faucets and showerheads, turning down the thermostat on your water heater, insulating your water heater if the tank feels warms to the touch, or by buying a new, more efficient model.

Explanation

o You can cut your water heating bills by using less hot water with low-flow faucets and showerheads, turning down the thermostat on your water heater, insulating your water heater if the tank feels warms to the touch, or by buying a new, more efficient model.

10. Heating and cooling account for how much of your home's annual utility bill?

10-20%

30-40%

50-60%

o GeoExchange heating and cooling systems (also known as "ground source heat pumps" or "geothermal heat pumps") use the constant temperature of the earth to provide heating comfort in the winter and cooling in the summer. Along with their high level of comfort, they provide the highest levels of efficiency for heating and cooling.

Explanation

o GeoExchange heating and cooling systems (also known as "ground source heat pumps" or "geothermal heat pumps") use the constant temperature of the earth to provide heating comfort in the winter and cooling in the summer. Along with their high level of comfort, they provide the highest levels of efficiency for heating and cooling.

11. Compact fluorescent light bulbs put out as much light as regular incandescent bulbs, but last anywhere from 8 to 10 times longer. How much less energy do they use?

25-35%

40-50%

66-75%

o Today's compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) offer the same brightness and light quality as incandescent bulbs. And although CFLs cost a bit more than incandescent bulbs initially, over their lifetime they are cheaper because of how little electricity they use.

Explanation

o Today's compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) offer the same brightness and light quality as incandescent bulbs. And although CFLs cost a bit more than incandescent bulbs initially, over their lifetime they are cheaper because of how little electricity they use.

12. Appliances and electronics account for what percentage of the typical home's monthy energy bill?

10-15%

20-25%

30%

o Replacing old appliances and equipment with those that are ENERGY STAR labeled can help American families save significantly on their utility bills. Many also qualify for rebates or tax credits.

Explanation

o Replacing old appliances and equipment with those that are ENERGY STAR labeled can help American families save significantly on their utility bills. Many also qualify for rebates or tax credits.