Saving energy tips -   

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1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce the amount of trash discarded, Reuse containers and products, and Recycle aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic, cardboard, and newspapers.

2. Save Our Trees
Recycle paper, mail, newspapers and magazines.  Use cloth towels instead of paper towels.

3. Drink Responsibly
Use reusable coffee mugs and water bottles at work or on the go--you'll use less paper and plastic.

4. Hoof It
In the U.S., cars are responsible for about 25 percent of the greenhouse gases produced and 20 percent of the global total.  Reduce the impact of your car use by carpooling, biking or walking. And if your car trip will take less than 5 minutes don't even bother grabbing your keys.

5. Stop Toppin' Off
Don't top off your gas tank--any gas you spill evaporates and contributes to air pollution.

6. Conserve Water
Do only full loads of laundry and don't let the water run when you brush your teeth or shave.  An open faucet pours 5 gallons of water every 2 minutes.

7. Buy Items with Recycled Content
Buying items made from recycled content creates a need for recycled material.  Try to cut down on your use of disposable items, like razors, dishes, and coffee cups.

8. Donate your Phone
Checking out the latest cell phone?  If you decide to buy a new phone, put your old one to good use by donating it to a charitable organization rather than throwing it away and clogging landfills.

9. Conserve Electricity
Put your computer in sleep mode and use power strips to switch off TVs and other electronics when you're not using them.  Their standby power consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.  Unplug phone and camera chargers when you're not using them.

10. Use Compact Fluorescent Lights
Use compact fluorescent lights and shut off the lights when you leave a room.  One compact fluorescent bulb will keep half a ton of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Copyright MTV 2008.  Thanks to mtv (we tried to get approval to use their info but there was no response) and other sources: Colby College Environmental Coalition; Earth Resource Foundation; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); and World Wildlife Fund & Center For a New American Dream: www.ibuydifferent.org and public opinion.org

   Saving energy can be painless with a few simple steps that also reduce monthly bills and help the environment. Here are some steps you and your family can take to conserve energy.

Lights in the daytime? What's wrong with this picture...  open your shades.  Open window blinds for sunshine to light up your life (no need to run lamps in daytime (despite the tv shows and movies that show everyone running lights while a bright sun shines).  If you think others are going to look in at you when the blinds are up just put a big plant in front of the window...  this will keep you from being seen and provide great clean air at the same time.

Turn off your lights. Turn off the lights when you're not in the room (despite the myth that says leave them on to save energy).  Consider trading incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs. CFs provide attractive light, use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer!

Hit the switch. If you see something electrical that's not being used, turn in off. This might seem obvious, but it can really add up.

Use your dishwasher and washer/dryer wisely. Only wash full loads.  Let dishes air dry.  Avoid washing during peak hours (noon to 6 p.m. weekdays).

Dust your refrigerator.  Vacuum the dust off the refrigerator coils (found in the back or underneath the unit) every 3 months - it takes less energy to cool that way.  Turn on the energy saver switch, if you have one.  Check the gaskets around the door and make sure it shuts tight.

Monitor your home's temperature. During winter, keep your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees F during the day and 55 degrees F at night. During summer, set the thermostat no lower than 75F.  Move shades and curtains to help heat or cool the house.  Seal window and door leaks with caulk and weather-stripping.

Keep your water heater cozy. Wrap your water heater in an insulating blanket to improve efficiency. Turn its thermostat down to 120 degrees F (140 degrees F if you have a dishwasher without a booster heater). This saves energy and helps prevent hot water burns.

Consider these investments for long-term savings and efficiency:

• Replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones. Refrigerators built since 1993 are 40% more energy-efficient than models built 10 years prior! Look for models with the Energy Star label, and keep an eye out for rebates sponsored by your utility company or the Electric and Gas Industries Association (EGIA).
• Plant shade trees near your house to keep cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
• Add insulation to your attic and walls.
• Consider installing window coatings or double-paned windows.

Contact your utility company for more information on home energy efficiency

Choose a student to be class energy technician who will make sure energy is being properly used. You can pick a new technician each week! The energy "field rep" will turn off lights when no one is in the room, such as during recess and after class.

Make "Turn It Off" signs for the light switches at school and at home.

Be a detective!  Work with your parents to find leaks and drafts in windows and doors by making a map of your house.  Label all the doors, windows and vents.  Then take a ribbon or dollar bill and hold it next to the edges of doors and windows.  If it moves, you've found a leak!  Give the map to your parents and ask them seal any leaks. 

Write a "karma ticket" to teachers and staff who leave lights on (and/or other electrical equipment)*.

Cutting back unnecessary energy use is an easy way to reduce energy consumption while saving money. Here are some suggestions you can do at home, at absolutely no cost to you.

Turn up your thermostat. Set your thermostat to 78 degrees F when you are home and 85 degrees F or off when you are away. Using ceiling or room fans allows you to set the thermostat higher because the air movement will cool the room. Always take into account health considerations and be sure to drink plenty of fluids in warm weather. (Savings: 1 - 3% per degree, for each degree the thermostat is set above 72 degrees)

Use your appliances wisely. To help prevent electricity outages, avoid running your appliances during peak hours - from 4p.m. to 6 p.m. or anytime an electricity emergency is declared.

• Do your laundry efficiently by using the warm or cold water setting for washing your clothes. Always use cold water to rinse clothes. (Savings: 4%).
• Line dry clothes whenever you can. (Save up to 5%)
• When you need to use the dryer, run full loads, use the moisture-sensing setting, and clean the clothes dryer lint trap after each use. (Savings: 0.5%)

• Conserve energy by running your dishwasher only when it is fully loaded, and turn off the dry cycle and air dry dishes instead. (Savings: 1%)
• Operate swimming pool filters and cleaning sweeps efficiently. Reduce the operating time of your pool filter and automatic cleaning sweep to 4 to 5 hours, and only during off-peak time. (Savings: 1-2% per hour of reduction
• Eliminate wasted energy.
• Turn off appliances, lights/equipment when not in use. (Savings: 2%)
• Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they aren't in use-most new electronics use electricity even when switched "off." Turn computers and printers off at the power strip. (Savings: 1-2%)

Unplug or recycle that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't really need it. This will save you $150 per year! (Savings: 10-20%)

• Inexpensive Energy Solutions
  Make a quick trip to your local hardware store to purchase inexpensive energy saving tools and equipment.
• Replace air conditioner filters. Dirty filters restrict airflow and can cause the system to run longer, increasing energy use. Replace filters monthly for maximum benefit. (Savings: 1-2%)
• Plug your home's leaks. Weather-strip, seal, and caulk leaky doors and windows, and install foam gaskets behind outlet covers. (These weatherization savings could add up to to 2%.)
• Choose Energy Star products.
• Buy Energy Star certified table lamps and light fixtures, and replace your incandescent light bulbs that are used more than two hours per day with Energy Star compact fluorescent bulbs. For example, install compact fluorescent bulbs in your porch light if you leave it on overnight. (Savings: for each bulb you'll save 0.2% for each hour the bulb operates on a typical day. Therefore, replacing an incandescent bulb that burns 10 hours per day will save 2%)
• Buy Energy Star certified torchieres. (Savings: up to 1% for each hour/day that it's on)

Install an Energy Star programmable thermostat. (Savings: 1-3%)

Good Energy-Saving Investments
Planning to do some remodeling soon? Time to replace old appliances? Consider these energy efficiency suggestions when you make purchases.

Install a whole house fan. A whole house fan is permanently installed in your attic and draws cool air into your home through the windows while forcing hot air out through your attic vents. Use after sundown when the outside temperature drops below 80 degrees, and in the early morning to cool your house and help reduce your air conditioning use. (Savings: up to 5%)

Install window shading. Install patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens to shade your home from the sun. For more future savings, use  planted trees, shrubs and vines to shade your home. (Savings: 5%)

Invest in a new air conditioner unit. If your air conditioner is on the way out, and uses too much energy, buy an Energy Star air conditioner. (Savings: up to 10%)

Seal your ducts. Leaking ductwork accounts for 25% of cooling costs in an average home, so have your ducts tested and have any leaks or restrictions repaired by a qualified contractor. Note: duct cleaning is not the same as duct sealing. (Savings: 10 -20%)

Replace your refrigerator with an Energy Star model. Refrigerators with a top or bottom freezer design can save you an additional 2-3% on your bill compared to a side-by-side design. (Savings: 10%)

Increase attic insulation. If existing insulation level is R-19 or less, consider insulating your attic to at least R-30. (Savings: 10%)

Install Energy Star windows. If your windows are due for replacement, Energy Star windows can make your house more comfortable year-round. (Savings: up to 10%)

*The savings numbers are based on your total summer electric bill. Equipment mentioned must be electric powered for estimates to be accurate

from California Science Center (www.Californiasciencecenter.org) - under Flex Your Power)