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Welcome to the most complete list of
energy-saving ideas anywhere!
Areas include around the house, at work, and
on the road. If you
have a favorite tip you would like included,
please e-mail it to me. |
Around The
House |
- Schedule a
meeting with your family to discuss the energy problem. Give each
member a copy of this list and assign a different person to be the
energy monitor each month. Make a game out of it and pay a small
reward for new energy-saving ideas. Keep track of your utility
bills each month to see how you are doing.
- Lighting
typically accounts for about 25 percent of your utility bill. Be
diligent about turning off the lights when not in use and remind
each other in a friendly way.
- Recessed
can-lights typically use 75- or 100-watt incandescent floodlight
bulbs. Replace them with 50 watt halogen floodlight bulbs for a 50
to 100 percent savings. They cost more but have a longer
life
- For really
big savings, replace the incandescent floodlight bulbs in
recessed-can lights with the new compact fluorescent lamps.
- Install
under-the-counter fluorescent lights in the kitchen. You can get
by using them alone most of the time.
- Remove one of
the light bulbs from your garage door opener.
- Remove both
light bulbs from your garage door opener and replace the wall
light switch in the garage with a motion sensor control with an
over-ride switch.
- Install
low-voltage lights for outside illumination. Install the
high-sodium motion-detector floodlights for security lights so
they do not stay on all night.
- Heating and
cooling typically account for about 45 percent of your utility
bill. By simply lowering the set point on the thermostat a degree
or two in the winter and raising it the same amount in the summer,
you can really save money.
- When
adjusting a thermostat by hand, remember that your home will not
heat or cool faster by cranking up the thermostat. Make small
degree changes to enjoy energy savings.
- Your home's
duct system may be wasting a lot of energy. Have the duct system
inspected to be sure it is properly connected, sealed tightly, and
well insulated.
- If your home
is heated electrically, consider installing an energy-efficient
heat pump system to save 30 to 40 percent on your heating costs. A
heat pump is most efficient in moderate climates such as Southern
California.
- Invest in a
programmable thermostat that will raise and lower the temperature
according to your schedule. It will pay for itself in a year or
two.
- Windows
provide views, natural lighting, ventilation, and solar heating in
the winter. 10 to 25 percent of your heat is lost through them. If
your home has single-pane windows, consider replacing them with
new double-pane windows with low-emissivity (low-e) glass and
vinyl frames to reduce the transfer of heat and filter out
ultraviolet light.
- In colder
climates, select windows that are gas filled and have
low-emissivity (low-e) coatings on the glass to reduce heat
loss.
- In warmer
climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to
reduce heat gain.
- Install storm
windows to reduce the heat loss through the windows by 25 to 50
percent.
- Passive solar
design can be very effective for saving on heating and cooling
costs. Placing large insulated windows on the south walls with a
heat-absorbing slab, may keep your home warm all day without using
the furnace. Design protective overhangs on the west walls to
reduce cooling costs in the summer.
- During the
daylight hours in the winter, open all the drapes and blinds on
the south-facing windows to gain the maximum heat through the
windows.
- Close all the
blinds and drapes at night to protect against heat loss through
the windows.
- During the
hot part of the day in the summer, close the drapes and blinds on
the windows where the sun "beats" in to minimize the heat
gain.
- When
installing a new furnace, check the energy rating and choose a new
high-efficiency unit. The newer design features will pay for the
system in 7 to 10 years.
- Using a
fireplace sends energy dollars right up the chimney along with
volumes of warm air. It helps to have glass doors on the fireplace
and an outside air source to fuel the fire.
- During cold
weather, keep your fireplace damper closed to prevent warm air
from exiting through the chimney.
- During warm
weather, keep your fireplace damper open to create a cooling
draught through the chimney.
- When buying
an air-conditioning system, select the proper size and don't
oversize it. Also, choose an energy efficient model to enjoy big
savings in operating costs.
- Locate the
air conditioner compressor in a shady spot to help it work more
efficiently.
- Using ceiling
fans to circulate the air in your house is a lot more
energy-efficient than turning on the main furnace fan.
- Install a
whole-house fan in the attic to draw hot air out of the house.
Remember to cover and insulate it during the winter to prevent
heat loss.
- Add
additional insulation to the ceilings and walls of your home to
trap heat inside during the winter and to keep heat outside during
the summer.
- Install the
ready-made foam insulating pads inside your receptacle and switch
plate covers to keep out the winter cold and summer heat.
- Are there
rooms in your house that you don't use? Close the doors and shut
the vents to enjoy big savings in heating and cooling.
- Water heating
can account for as much as 20 percent of your utility bill. Wrap
the hot water tank with an insulating jacket to reduce heat
loss.
- Gradually
turn down the temperature on the hot water heater until you just
barely run out of hot water. Then, turn it back up a notch.
- Install a
solar hot water heating system. More than 1.5 million homes and
businesses in the United States have invested in solar water
heating systems and over 94 percent of these customers consider
the systems to be a good investment.
- Take shorter
showers. For those who just have to take a long shower to get
going in the morning, install a low-flow shower head to save
valuable hot water.
- An old hot
water heater builds up deposits inside and becomes less efficient.
Install a new more efficient, well-insulated hot water heater.
Compare the EnergyGuide labels before buying.
- When
installing a new hot water heater, size it properly. Don't install
a bigger one than you really need.
- Look for the
Energy Star label when buying home appliances, office equipment,
and other items.
- Do you have
an extra refrigerator or freezer in the garage or basement? If you
don't really need it, sell it or just unplug it for big energy
savings.
- Check the
settings on your refrigerator to be between 35 and 38 degrees. The
freezer should be between 0 and 5 degrees.
- Calibrate
your dryer so that you don't waste energy by over-drying your
clothes. Better yet, buy an energy-efficient dryer that has a
moisture sensor to shut it off when the clothes are dry.
- Empty your
clothes dryer lint screen before running a new load to obtain
maximum efficiency.
- Wash your
clothes in cold or warm water and rinse them in cold water. Wash
only when you have a full load.
- Dry clothes
in consecutive loads to take advantage of the warm dryer.
- Gas clothes
dryers cost about half the amount to operate as electric
dryers.
- Turn off the
"heat dry" feature of your dishwasher. When the load is finished,
open the door until the dishes are dry. Wash dishes only when you
have a full load.
- Run your
major appliances such as washer, dryer, dishwasher, and pool/spa
motors during non-peak electrical hours, which is generally after
8 p.m.
- It takes a
lot of energy to make new containers, paper products, and
packaging. Be diligent in recycling all your newspapers, cans,
bottles, plastics, cardboard, and other materials.
- Do your
research and buy as many things as you can on-line. The small
shipping fees are much less than what you would spend driving
around in a vehicle.
- Cancel your
newspapers and magazines and subscribe to the on-line versions. It
takes a lot of energy to print and deliver these
publications.
- Activate the
"sleep" feature of your home office equipment (PC, fax, printer,
scanner, monitor) so it automatically powers down when not in
use.
- Better yet -
turn off your home office equipment when not in use.
- Work out
details with your employer for you to work at home at least one
day per week.
- When buying a
home, consider neighborhoods close to work or public transporation
to reduce private vehicle use.
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At
Work |
- Discuss the
energy situation with your employees and coworkers. Set up an
energy committee to come with new ways to save energy. Make a game
out of it and pay a small reward for new energy-saving
ideas.
- Encourage
employees to live close to work. If most employees live in the
same part of town, consider relocating the business to that
area.
- Turn off all
the office and building lights at the end of the day.
- Install
motion-sensor switches in bathrooms, storage rooms, and other
little-used areas so that the lights will go off when no one is
there.
- Remind others
to turn out the lights when they leave.
- Remove lamps
where you have more lighting than you really need. But be sure to
maintain safe lighting conditions for work areas.
- Recessed
can-lights typically use 75 or 100 watt incandescent floodlight
bulbs. Replace them with 50 watt halogen floodlight bulbs for a 50
to 100 percent savings. They cost more but have a longer
life.
- For really
big savings, replace the incandescent floodlight bulbs with the
new compact fluorescent lamps.
- If you have a
flat-roofed building, install skylights to drastically reduce your
lighting needs.
- When buying
or replacing company-owned vehicles, compare the energy
requirements of various models and buy energy-efficient
vehicles.
- Install
programmable thermostats in your office or business. These
inexpensive devices can help optimize your building's heating and
cooling needs.
- Block and
insulate unneeded windows and other openings to reduce energy
losses.
- Gradually
turn down the temperature on the hot water heater until you just
barely run out of hot water. Then, turn it back up a notch.
- Wrap the hot
water tank with jacket insulation to reduce heat loss from the
tank.
- You can't
possibly heat or cool the outdoors, so keep exterior doors closed
as much as possible.
- When buying
or replacing computers, copiers, and other office equipment,
compare the energy requirements of various models and buy
energy-efficient equipment.
- Don't
underestimate the energy savings you can get by turning off unused
computers, monitors, printers, copiers, and other machines and
equipment when not in use. This simple approach can achieve big
savings.
- It takes a
lot of energy to make new containers, paper products, and
packaging. Be diligent in recycling all your newspapers, cans,
bottles, plastics, cardboard, and other materials.
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On The
Road |
- In
California, about one-half of all our energy is used by the
transportation sector. We spend $74 billion a year on
transportation energy. Small changes in our transportation habits
can reap big savings in energy consumption.
- Accelerate
and brake your vehicle gently but steadily. Jackrabbit starts and
stops can decrease mileage by up to 12 percent.
- Plan your
trips so that you won't get stuck in traffic jams. Listen to radio
reports for alternate routes around congested areas.
- Use the
cruise control whenever possible. It saves fuel by keeping your
vehicle at a steady speed.
- Make sure
your tires are inflated properly. The U.S. Department of Energy
reports that four million gallons of gasoline could be saved
nationwide each day for every one pound per square inch (psi) of
under-inflation, compared to the mileage if all vehicle tires were
inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.
- Most cars
will run fine on regular unleaded gasoline. You will save money by
using it instead of mid-grade or premium unleaded gas. So, check
your owner's manual to find out what's right for your car. If it
doesn't "ping," it's probably all right.
- Using a
vehicle's air conditioner on a hot summer day can decrease mileage
by as much as 21 percent. If it's cool enough, use the
flow-through ventilation on your car instead of the air
conditioner. Open a window at low speeds.
- Make sure
your car is properly tuned, spark plugs are firing right, and oil
and air filters are clean. Old, dirty oil and clogged filters are
a sure way to rob your engine of efficiency and increase air
pollution.
- When not in a
traffic lane, turn off your car engine if stopping for more than
30 seconds. Restarting uses less gasoline.
- If you're
driving on the freeway, keep your windows rolled up. Opening a
window creates wind drag and will lower your mileage. Instead, use
the car's flow-through ventilation.
- Fuel economy
decreases as speeds go up. The U.S. EPA and Oak Ridge National Lab
say that for every one mile-per-hour that you drive above 55 mph,
a vehicle loses about one percent in fuel economy. A passenger car
getting 30 mpg at 55 mph, gets only 27 mpg at 65 mph; 25.5 mpg at
70 mph.
- The choice
you make in engine oil can also effect fuel economy. Your owner's
manual will recommend the type of oil to use under specific
conditions. Make sure that all used oil is taken to an
oil-recycling center.
- Luggage racks
increase vehicle drag, and too much weight in the trunk can cut
your mileage. On the average, each 100 pounds of needless weight
will cost up to one-half mile per gallon.
- When buying a
new vehicle, compare the energy requirements of various models and
buy an energy-efficient one.
- Check out the
new gas-electric hybrid vehicles for around-town driving. They are
the car of the future and they are here today offering 60-plus
miles per gallon.
- Avoid special
trips. Combine your errands to accomplish more on the same
trip.
- Make an
effort to share rides to work, school, church and social
activities. You'll make new friends and save valuable fuel.
- Take the
train or bus to work. Bike to work to save gas and to stay in
shape.
- Get in your
car, adjust the mirror, fasten the seat belt, then start the car.
Starting the car first wastes millions of gallons of gasoline each
year.
- Shut off your
engine and leave the ignition in the accessory mode when using a
cell phone.
- Reserve the
big SUV for hauling a large group of people. Use a small vehicle
for driving alone around town.
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Austin, Texas 78746