How to Boost Your Appliances' Efficiency

Cost: Low (less than $100)

Commitment: Medium

Green Impact: 4 out of 5

Quick tune-ups for your home's biggest energy suckers can save more than a thousand pounds of carbon and a hundred dollars a year.

Water Heater

• Set the thermostat to 120 degrees instead of the standard 130 to 140 degrees.
• If the tank is warm to the touch, wrap it in an insulating blanket (sold at most home improvement stores).

Refrigerator

• If it's an older model, vacuum the coils (usually located either in the back or underneath, behind a removable plate), and dislodge caked grease with a stiff brush.
• Keep the fridge at 36 to 38 degrees and the freezer at 3 degrees.
• Make sure the door seal is tight. If a dollar bill can slip through the rubber gasket, replace it.
• Remove clutter from the top of the fridge, and position it away from the stove or radiator.

Dryer

• Dry loads in succession to take advantage of residual heat, and make sure loads are always full.
• Clean the lint trap after each load.