Reviewed October 1993

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Energy Quiz for Home Appliances

Marilyn W. Caselman
Department of Consumer and Family Economics

Is more of the income going toward the payment of utility bills for the home? Nationwide, home energy use takes rather small percentage. "About 20 percent of the total U.S. energy consumption is used in the home." (Conserving Energy in Home Heating and Appliances. Cooperative Extension Service, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Page 17.)

Reviewing some facts on home energy use can both improve your bills and conserve energy. This guide suggests ways to save on energy usage, and thus help lower home utility costs.

It is important to remember the other facets of energy use -- safety, health and saving of physical energy. Some consumers may need to compromise on the convenience aspects involved.

The following are a few statements about home energy use. Answer true or false. The answers follow the quiz.

Quiz -- true or false

  1. Always preheat an oven for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Never turn a dishwasher off before all cycles are completed.
  3. Keep a freezer filled to capacity for most efficient operation.
  4. Although using hot water in a food waste disposer uses more energy, it eases strain on the motor and helps the disposer grind waste more efficiently.
  5. The refrigerator is the most expensive home appliance to use, next to the heating and cooling system.
  6. Microwave ovens use less power than ranges for similar cooking jobs.
  7. Television sets with an instant-on feature consume energy 24 hours a day.
  8. It is less expensive to leave lights on than turning them on and off frequently.
  9. Fluorescent bulbs last longer than incandescent bulbs.
  10. A frost-free refrigerator uses more electricity than a manual defrost model.
  11. The dust bag on a vacuum cleaner should be checked and emptied as necessary.
  12. Motor-driven appliances use more energy than heating appliances in a given period of time.

How did you do? Did you find some places to cut your energy bill? Perhaps you can get others in your home interested by using this quiz or by adding items that particularly focus on energy use in your home. It can save you money and extend energy resources.

Mary McClure, home economics journalism student, assisted with this publication.

GH4879, reviewed October 1993