Imagine this. By just doing something as simple as flipping a switch, you could save major amounts of energy. This is great since it (A) lowers your bills and (B) saves the environment. It lowers your bills because you save energy and have to pay less. It saves the environment, mainly, because power plants burn coal, and that pollutes a LOT. And why save water you ask? Because it takes energy to get it wherever it needs to be and to clean it up. Here are some easy ways to make a difference:
| Task | Savings |
| Change from incandescent to fluorescent lightbulbs | 70%-85% |
| Turn down your thermostat | 5% per 1º |
| Plant trees and bushes around your air conditioner to shade it (but don't block the air flow!) | Up to 10% |
| Install exterior or interior storm windows | Reduces heat loss 25%-50% |
| Hold a ribbon up to a window. If it blows, there's a leak in that spot. Fix that leak. | 10% |
| Use a refrigerator with automatic moisture control. | 5%-10% |
| Close the fireplace damper when not in use. | 8% of your heat |
| Use a low flush toilet and don't let it be leaky! | 10,000 gallons of water per year |
| Don't let your faucets drip! | 2,192 gallons less per year then a drippy faucet that fills a soda can in 30 minutes |
| Use your dishwasher! DO NOT do dishes by hand!! | 37% |
| For small things, use the microwave. For big things use the stove. Use the microwave in the summer. | 50% |
| Replace old refrigerators. (Another hint--one large fridge is better than two small ones!) | $120 a year |
| Use a broom instead of spraying your driveway with a hose | Hundreds of gallons of water a year, meaning hundreds of dollars in savings! |
| Reuse your grocery bags and bring them next time you go shopping so you don't need new ones. | The store may pay you 5¢ per bag! |
| Turn of an average fluorescent light for an hour | 0.02 kWh x how much you are charged per kWh (Say you got charged 10¢ per kWh, you would save 0.2¢) |
| Recycle four feet of newspaper | A tree |
Calculate YOUR energy costs!
99 Ways to Save Energy
Fishman, Charles. "How Many Lightbulbs Does it Take to Change the World? One. And You're Looking At it.." Fast Company. Online. September 2006 <http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/108/open_lightbulbs.html> 21 April 2007.
"Useful energy conservation tips." Earth 911. Online. 1996-2007 <http://www.earth911.org/master.asp?s=lib&a=Energy/Conservation/FlexYourPower/flexyourpower.html> 21 April 2007.
"Saving Energy." Energy Quest. Online. 10/12/2006 15:49:36 <http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/saving_energy/index.html> 21 April 2007.