Save Money ~ Save Energy
RIGHT NOW
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20 Simple Steps to Save Energy and Fight Global Warming:
Step 1 Ask your utility to conduct an energy audit to find out
where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient. Step 2 Adjust your thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2
degrees in summer. Use a programmable thermostat.Step 3 Turn off lights when they are not being used. Install
compact fluorescent bulbs. They use 1/4 of the energy that an incandescent bulb uses and last 10 times as long.Step 4 Set the thermostat on your water heater at 120° F. This will
save a considerable amount of energy. Step 5 Use a microwave or convection oven instead of a
conventional oven whenever possible. Microwave ovens use about 1/3 and convection ovens about 2/3 of the energy used by conventional ovens.Step 6 Let your dishes air dry. A dishwasher uses more energy to
dry dishes than to wash them. Step 7 Adjust refrigerator settings to 37° F - 40° F and freezer
settings to 0° F - 5° F. If you have a freezer or second refrigerator that is nearly empty, turn it off (and disengagethe door lock). Refrigerators account for about 14 % of the U.S. total of electricity use.Step 8 When replacing major appliances, look for the Energy Star
label. Step 9 Clean refrigerator coils twice a year, more often if you have
pets. Condenser coils are located at the bottom or rear of your refrigerator. If they are allowed to accumulate dust and dirt as much as 25 % More energy is required to maintain proper temperature. Step 10 Install low-flow shower heads to use less hot water. Take
shorter showers. Step 11 Drive more slowly. A study reported that for all vehicles
tested there was at least a 20 % loss in fuel economy as cruising speed was increased from 55 to 75 mph. Keep your tires fully inflated for best mileage. Step 12 Combine your automobile trips for shopping and errands.
Shut off the engine rather than letting it idle, if stopped for more than one minute. Carpool and use public transportation when possible. Step 13 Buy the most fuel efficient vehicle for your particular
driving needs. Tax breaks may be available for some hybrid vehicles. Step 14 Buy local produce when you go to the grocery store rather
than items trucked or flown in from far away, and bring it home in reusable bags. Step 15 Eat low on the food chain. On average, it takes nearly 10
times as much fossil fuel to produce animal protein (including commercially caught or farmed fish) compared to plant protein, like beans and grains. Step 16 Turn off PCs, monitors, printers, and copiers when not in
use. Step 17 Use laptop computers and ink jet printers, if possible. They
use 90 % less energy than desktop and laser printers. Step 18 Don't leave cell phones, laptop or battery chargers plugged
in when not in use. The transformers on these devices continue to consume energy 24/7 even when nothing is being charged. Step 19 Recycle paper, cardboard, plastics and glass.
Step 20 Use 100% post-consumer recycled printer paper. You will
save 5 lbs of CO2 per ream of paper. "20 Simple Steps" courtesy of the
