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27 Ways to Conserve Energy

There are several reasons why conserving energy is the right choice to make. Citizens nationwide often find many advantages to going green such as saving money, preserving natural, yet limited resources, and helping the environment by reducing pollution. Using energy efficient appliances or conserving energy in the home or workplace makes economic sense. Conserving energy helps create jobs, reduces overall energy costs, and helps create a more stable economy that is less dependent on foreign energy sources.

Energy efficient appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, heating and cooling units, dryers, dishwashers, and stoves can reduce monthly utility bills, helping home and business owners stretch their dollars. Due to the government’s focus on going green, many states and counties offer rebate programs for those who purchase appliances with the Energy Star seal of approval. Here are some tips that will help you conserve energy in the home and workplace.

Heating Tips

  1. Consider solar heating as opposed to natural gas or electric. Solar heating can greatly reduce total utility costs and often the savings justifies the initial installation of solar panels.
  2. Ensure homes, including attics and basements are properly insulated.
  3. Use programmable thermostats to control the exact temperature in homes and offices.
  • Home Heating Systems: Energy.gov looks at various ways home and business owners can save on overall heating costs.
  • BPA Energy Efficiency: Bonneville Power Administration provides these tips for saving energy expended through heating.
  • Simple Tips to Reduce Heating Bills: Utilize these tips from the Kansas Corporation Commission and discover ways to help lower your heating bills.
  • Winter Heating Tips from the City of Boise: The City of Boise provides a thorough look at heating appliances for winter months.

Cooling Tips

  1. Help prevent greenhouse gas emissions by choosing cooling appliances with the Energy Star label.
  2. Keep sunshine out of the home by installing awnings and shades to your home’s exterior. Keep blinds, drapes, and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day.
  3. Use an outdoor grill to avoid heating the home through oven cooking.
  • Home Cooling Tips from the EPA: Reduce cooling expenses with these no and low cost tips.
  • 20 Tips for Cooling: This collection of 20 tips will help ensure your summers are cool and your bills lowered.
  • Keep Cool and Save Energy (PDF): Save energy and money with the cooling tips provided in this PDF resource.

Refrigerator & Freezer Tips

  1. Freezers work best when full. Save energy and dollars by keeping your freezer stocked. If low on frozen goods, fill plastic jugs with water and freeze.
  2. Keep frost buildup at ¼” thick. Use your defroster as needed to maintain frost thickness.
  3. Buy refrigerators that are the perfect size for your needs. Oversized refrigerators waste space, energy, and money.
  • Refrigerator and Freezer Tips: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provides these tips for maximizing your refrigerator and freezer use.
  • Energy Series: What About Refrigeration and Freezers? Explore the benefits of owning an Energy Star refrigerator and freezer with this in-depth, fact sheet.
  • Maximize Energy Conservation with Refrigeration and Freezer Tips: The New Hampshire Office of Energy Planning provides tips and advice for those interested in conserving energy in the kitchen.
  • Energy Saving Refrigerators: Tips for buying new refrigerators as well as maximizing energy savings are provided in this resource from the Clean Air Campaign.

Laundry Tips

  1. Hot water uses more energy than cold. Use cold water for laundry when possible to save energy.
  2. Dryers use plenty of energy. Use a clothes rack or hang clothes outside when weather permits to conserve energy.
  3. Make certain to choose the right size washer and dryer when purchasing new units, to maximize your energy usage. If your machines can’t handle larger items, then use a laundromat instead of washing items in multiple loads.
  • Energy Saving Laundry and Washing Machine Tips: The University of Arkansas provides multiple tips for saving energy in the laundry room in this document.
  • Laundry Tips for Maximum Energy Savings: These green laundry tips include ways to save laundry detergent for even greater benefits.
  • Use Water Wisely in your Home: This resource guide addresses ways to save energy by conserving water and includes laundry tips.
  • Saving Money and Water with Energy Efficient Washing Machines: Get tips on purchasing energy efficient washers and dryers.

Hot Water Use

  1. User low-flow, aerating water heads throughout your home to conserve water.
  2. Never let a leaky faucet drip. Fix all leaks immediately.
  3. Save energy by lowering the temperature on your hot water heater.
  • Water Energy Saving Tips: Find creative ways to save on your hot water use with these tips.
  • Water Conservation Tips: The City of San Diego provides resources for conserving hot water as well as 24 tips for saving hundreds of gallons of water per week.
  • Conservation Tips and Reasons to Save Water: This resource not only provides tips for saving water but explains why conservation is important.

Dishwashers

  1. Since dishwashers are powered by extremely hot water, it is important to only run them when full.
  2. Purchase new dishwashers with the Energy Star seal to ensure your unit conserves water.
  3. Use the correct wash cycle to ensure that you do not waste hot water. Read your unit’s manual and follow the instructions and recommended guidelines.

Cooking Tips

  1. Use microwaves, toaster ovens, and full sized ovens depending upon the quantity of the food prepared to save the most energy.
  2. Save energy in cooking times by defrosting foods in the refrigerator instead of in hot water.
  3. Conserve energy by using copper-bottom pans as they heat up quicker than other materials.
  • Energy Saving Tips for Cooking: This resource contains multiple energy saving tips, but contains invaluable advice for those conserving energy in the kitchen.

Lighting Tips

  1. Use fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulbs for energy savings.
  2. Maximize natural sunlight to avoid the use of electric, energy sources.
  3. Use motion sensors and time-delay switches to ensure lights are turned off and energy saved.
  • Energy Star Lighting Tips: Discover different types of Energy Efficient lights and learn their benefits with this resource.
  • Energy Efficiency and Lighting: Learn about LED lights and how they are energy efficient with this resource from the National Academies.
  • Living Green Lighting: Understand how lighting contributes to your electric bill and heating costs with this guide from the University of Florida.
  • Energy Efficiency Lighting Tips: Discover how task lighting can help save energy for your home or work needs.

New Appliance Tips

  1. Save the most money on lifetime utility bills by choosing products and appliances that bear the Energy Star seal of approval.
  2. Refrigerators run 24/7 and consume a great deal of energy. You can reduce this cost by selecting Energy Star refrigerators and following recommended guidelines for their usage.
  3. Save on hot water costs by using an Energy Star dishwasher with a yellow energy guide label for comparison with other products.
  • Energy Conservation in the Home: This guide from Colorado State University explores a number of ways you can update your home with new, energy efficient appliances.
  • The Benefits of Energy Star Appliances: This PDF document delves into the Energy Star program and explains why products with the Energy Star seal are more energy efficient.
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