Energy Efficiency: Did you make the grade? (Answers)

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) supports energy efficiency as a way to reduce energy usage and your utility bills. This is the answer sheet for the pop quiz, Energy Efficiency Questions - Do You Make the Grade? See how many you got right and if you made the grade.

1. Which uses less energy…

A. An OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) television?
B. An LED- (Light-Emitting Diode) television?

Answer: B

Both OLED and LED televisions consume less power than their plasma and CRT predecessors, but the LED is generally more efficient. However, much depends on screen brightness, its features, set size and how much it is used. Energy Star certified TVs are, on average, 25 percent more efficient than other models.

2. Which uses less energy...

A. A gaming PC?
B. A game console?

Answer: B

A gaming PC can use approximately 1,400 kWh per year, which is equal to the energy used by 10 game consoles. Learn tips to reduce power consumption for gaming at www.energystar.gov.

3. Which uses less energy...

A. An electric hot water heater?
B. A natural gas hot water heater?

Answer: A

Although an electric hot water tank is more energy efficient, a natural gas hot water tank generally costs less to operate because it heats faster, and fuel costs are lower. When replacing your home’s hot water heater, there are several efficient options to consider. Learn more at www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating.

4. Which uses less energy...

A. A refrigerator with a top freezer?
B. A side-by-side refrigerator?

Answer: A

Top freezer models use less energy than side-by-side models.

5. Which uses less energy...

A. A refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom?
B. A refrigerator with the freezer on the top?

Answer: B

In general, refrigerators with top-mounted freezers use less energy than refrigerators with either side-mounted or bottom-mounted freezers.

6. Which uses less energy...

A. A front-loading washer?
B. A top-loading washer?

Answer: A

Front-loading washers use less water and hold larger loads which saves energy with reduced water heating. Consider ENERGY STAR® rating when purchasing new appliances.

7. Which uses less energy...

A. Streaming TV shows on a laptop?
B. Streaming TV shows on a tablet?
C. Streaming TV shows on a desktop computer?

Answer: B

Streaming on a tablet uses less energy. A laptop uses four times the energy and a desktop computer uses 15 times the energy that a tablet does.

8. Which uses less energy...

A. A chest freezer?
B. An upright freezer?

Answer: A

Chest freezers are usually more efficient than upright freezers. Chest freezers are better insulated, and cold air does not spill out as easily when the door is opened.

9. To save energy you should...

A. Turn your computer completely off?
B. Put it into sleep mode?

Answer: A

Today’s computers use minimal power in sleep mode. Laptops use 1-2 watts and desktops use up to 5 watts. But turning your computer and monitor completely off is the best way to save energy. Turn the monitor off when away more than 20 minutes. Turn off the CPU and monitor when not using for more than 2 hours. For additional energy savings plug monitors, printers and other accessories into a power strip/surge protector and turn it off when they are not in use.

10. To save energy you should...

A. Turn off the lights every time you leave the room?
B. Leave them on until you return?

Answer: A

It saves energy to turn off lights when not in use. The cost savings of turning lights off depends on the bulb. Generally, the more energy efficient a bulb is, the longer you can leave it on before it is more cost effective to turn it off. Halogen and incandescent bulbs should be turned off when not in use. Cost savings for turning off CFL or LED bulbs are small but can still make a difference.

11. To save energy in the winter you should...

A. Turn the thermostat down if you are leaving the house for eight hours?
B. Leave the thermostat where it is to keep the house warm?

Answer: A

Setting back your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day when you are asleep or away from home can save you as much as 10 percent a year on heating costs. A programmable or smart thermostat can be a great energy saving option.

12. To save energy you should...

A. Check your furnace filter every six months?
B. Check it every month?

Answer: B

Check your filter monthly, especially during heavy use months. When the filter looks dirty, change it. Generally, filters should be changed about every 3 months. A dirty filter slows air flow and makes the system work harder, which wastes energy and can put an unnecessary load the system.

13. To save energy in the summer you should...

A. Turn the thermostat up when you are leaving the house for eight hours?
B. Leave the thermostat set where it is to keep the house cool?

Answer: A

Save energy in the summer by setting your thermostat to 78°F. Set it higher when you are away from home. Turning the thermostat up 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours can save up to 10 percent a year on your cooling bill. Again, programmable or smart thermostats can be an energy saving option.

14. To save energy you should...

A. Wash several small loads of laundry?
B. Wash one large load of laundry?

Answer: B

Many washers use the same amount of water for a full load as a small one. To save energy, wait to do laundry until you have a full load and consider using cold water and air-drying when possible.

15. To save energy you should...

A. Check the lint filter in your dryer every week?
B. Check it before and after every load?

Answer: B

Lint filters should be checked before and after each load for efficiency and to avoid a fire hazard. If you use fabric softener, the filter should be cleaned regularly to remove buildup that reduces air circulation.

16. To save energy you should...

A. Wash a full load of dishes by hand?
B. Wash the same dishes in the dishwasher?

Answer: B

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, washing full loads of dishes in a dishwasher uses less energy than hand washing the same amount.

17. Which uses less energy...

A. Streaming movies on a game console?   
B. Streaming on a Smart TV or small media player?

Answer: B

Streaming movies on a game console consumes up to 15 times more energy using a Smart TV or a digital media player. It uses 4 times more energy than streaming via cable or satellite.

18. Which uses less energy...

A. A full refrigerator?
B. An empty refrigerator?

Answer: A

A full refrigerator retains cold better than an empty one. The chilled items enable the refrigerator to recover faster after the door has been opened. However, do not overfill it. This interferes with the circulation of cold air inside.

19. Which uses less energy...

A. Taking a shower?
B. Taking a bath?

Answer: A

Generally, it takes less hot water to take a shower than a bath. To test it, plug the tub drain the next time you take a shower. After your shower, see how high the tub is filled. If there is less water than you would usually have in a bath, then you will probably save energy by taking a shower.

20. To save energy you should...

A. Charge your cell phone only when it needs charged?
B. Leave it on the charger all night?

Answer: A

Charge cellular phones only when they need charged and for the recommended charging time. Over charging your cell phone can overcharge your electric bill. Chargers should also be unplugged or turned off using a power strip when not in use to avoid vampire (standby) power.

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