idea, but it keeps the kitchen cool and saves

idea, but it keeps the kitchen cool and saves energy;

• Resist the urge to sneak a peek at food while it’s cooking. Use timers to tell you when the food is ready;

• Turn off oven or surface units during the last 5 minutes of cooking time and start foods on high and reduce cooking temperatures to low or simmer to finish cooking;

• Wash fiill loads of dishes, using a dishwasher is available. (A dishwasher uses up to 43 percent less water than hand washing dishes.) Also, let dishes air dry. Use the energy-saver switch on your dishwasher or open the door after the final rinse and turn the control to “off;"

• Use small appliances and a microwave oven to prepare meals or warm food whenever possible;

• Reduce opening refrigerator and freezer doors. Try placing cool drinks in a thermos and ice in an ice bucket for between-meal drinks;

• Avoid placing steaming foods into the refrigerator.

In the laundry:

• Wash only fiill loads of clothes, using cool or warm water to wash and cold water to rinse;

• Avoid pre-rinsing. Pre-rinses use up to 70 percent more water;

• Dry consecutive loads to take advantage of retained heat. Make sure the lint filter is clean in the washer and dryer;

• Do all your ironing at one time and turn the iron off before the last few items are ironed. Retained heat will finish the last items.

For more information on saving energy year-round, call a Potomac Edison service representative at 1800-654-3317 and ask for a copy of the helpful brochure, “Use Electricity Wisely.”