Your refrigerator uses about 20% of the total energy in your house. Keep the fridge temperature set close to 37 degrees, your freezer close to 3 degrees. Credit: inhabitat.com
- Your refrigerator uses about 20% of the total energy in your house. Keep the fridge temperature set close to 37 degrees, your freezer close to 3 degrees.
- Setting your clothes washer to warm or cool temperatures, not hot, reduces carbon dioxide emissions and saves you money.
- Run your dishwasher only when it's full, use the energy saver setting, and allow dishes to air dry. Air drying dishes saves 20% of this appliance's total energy consumption.
- The typical setting for a water heater is 140 degrees, but 120 works just fine. The lower temperature is safer for children, too.
- When you replace appliances, maximize your energy savings by looking for energy-efficient models.
- In winter, set your heat to 68 degrees for daytime use, 55 degrees for nighttime. In summer, set air conditioners to 78 degrees to help maximize your savings.
- Cleaning or changing the air filters monthy can save 5% of the cost of running your furnace.
- Compact florescent bulbs use 1/4 the energy and last 8-12 times longer than incandescent bulbs, so your initial expense will be well worth it.
- An insulating jacket costs $10-$20 and helps keep the heat inside your water heater instead of radiating out.
- Low-flow shower heads help you save water by allowing you to control the amount of water you use: less for soaping up, more for rinsing off.
- To minimize air leaks around your home, use or renew caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows.
- Consider alternative transportation to work: car pool, public transportation, bicycling, walking, or telework.
- You'll keep more money in your pocket when you own a vehicle that gets 40 or more MPG compared to 25 MPG or fewer.
- Reduce waste by buying products whose manufacturers minimize packaging and use recyclable materials. Ideally, buy fresh as much as possible.
- Save 20-30% on home heating and air conditioning bills by insulating the walls and ceilings.
- To keep heating and cooling energy inside your home, replacing all your single-pane windows with argon filled, double-glazed windows.
- To help keep your house cool during warm months, plant shade trees. Trees add oxygen to the environment, too.
- Participate in - or organize - energy-saving programs at work: saving electricity, reducing paper use, recycling.
- Educate yourself at election time and vote for candidates who have good environmental voting records. And, don't forget to VOTE!
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