3. Which uses less energy...
A. An electric hot water heater?
B. A natural gas hot water heater?
Answer: A
An electric hot water tank is more energy efficient, but 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 about 45% less energy and 50% less water than a top-loading washer. They also hold larger loads. 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, 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 to improve air circulation, increase the efficiency of the dryer, and avoid a fire hazard. If you use dryer sheets, the filter should be cleaned monthly to remove buildup that reduces efficiency.
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. Washing dishes in an Energy Star dishwasher rather than hand washing can save up to $210 per year.
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.
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, but don’t overfill it. The items in the fridge insulate each other and prevent rapid temperature fluctuation when the door is open. Be sure to regularly clean the coils to increase efficiency.
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. Chargers should also be unplugged or turned off using a power strip when not in use to avoid vampire (standby) power.
