How To: Save Energy at Home

Let’s list some good bets for greening your routine:

1. Switch to Fluorescent Lighting:  Energy-saving fluorescent lighting has come a long way. There’s a fluorescent bulb to fit almost any fixture inside and outside your home, and they’re a good bet for lights that are used a lot because they last 10 times longer. If we all switched out 5 standard light bulbs for fluorescents, it would be like taking a million cars off the road for a year.
2. Lower Your Thermostat:  Put on a sweater, set your thermostat just two degrees lower in winter and cut your carbon emissions by 9 percent.
3. Program Your Thermostat:  A programmable thermostat is a great energy saver, automatically lowering your heat when you’re at work or asleep.
4. Insulate Your Water Heater:  Wrap your electric water heater in an insulation blanket and set it at 120 degrees.
5. Replace Your Water Heater:  If it’s time to replace your water heater, install a tankless unit for an endless supply of hot water at 40 percent savings over conventional tanks.
6. Use Full Machines Only:  Wash dishes and clothes only when the machines are full.
7. Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances:  When you buy an appliance, make sure it’s Energy Star certified.
8. Use Green Power: Run it all with green power: Ask your utility company about buying your electricity from renewable sources, or visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s green power Web site.