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Energy Conservation – What You Can Do
Bathroom:
- Take short showers – baths use more hot water, hence more energy. Don’t run water while brushing teeth or shaving – use short bursts of water for rinsing. Restrict shower flow to the minimum to do the job. Don’t use more soap than you really need, as it requires excess rinsing. Fill tub only ½ full for bath.
- Start in the basement. Insulate hot water pipes. Locate water heater as close as possible to areas needing hot water to prevent dissipation of energy and to minimize heat loss. Don’t overheat water – 140 degrees maximum is enough even for a dishwasher. Turn water heater way down or off when you will be away from home. Check for drips and leaks.
Lighting:
- Watch the wattage – use fluorescent bulbs where possible. They give 5 times the light and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Use correct wattage; Six 25 watt bulbs = same light as one 100 watt bulb, and six bulbs use more energy than one. Dirt absorbs light – keep lights clean.
Small Appliances:
- Use small appliances properly – read labels. Use voracious energy users sparingly. Keep heat-conducting appliances out of drafts. Use hand can openers, mixers, etc. where possible. Vacuum & polish only when necessary. Keep vacuum bag emptied to avoid suction reduction. Reduce operation of garbage grinders.
Large Appliances:
- Get the most out of your large appliances – defrost refrigerator before it’s iced up. Avoid opening and closing the door continuously. Keep refrigerator grills and coils clean. Keep temperature between 37 – 40 degrees and freezer 0 – 10 degrees. Run dishwasher only when full, using the shortest possible cycle that gets dishes clean. Open door and let dishes air dry.
Laundry:
- Use washer and drier efficiently. Wash and dry only full loads. Use cold water. Dry only as long as necessary – don’t over dry. Remove clothes immediately to reduce wrinkling and ironing. Better still, use a clothesline. Keep lint screens clean. Dry in consecutive loads while drier is warm. Don’t use too much soap – makes washer work harder.
Kitchen:
- Feed your family and your pocketbook, too. Use small appliances for small meals. Cook one-dish meals as often as you can. Use oven to capacity. Cook more than one meal at a time, for reheating later. Do not preheat oven except for very short baking jobs. Use oven more in cold weather.
Home Heating:
- Try “Pioneer living.” Remind yourself that our energy resources are limited now and will become more so in the future. Practice turning the heat down a little more each week – this makes the “withdrawal” period easier. Bundle up with sweaters – it’s easier to heat individuals than homes.
- Buy an energy efficient home. If buying a new home, opt for one with Passive solar features to help control heat gain, or with possibilities for conversion to same. Insist on adequate insulation, or detract future insulation costs from the purchase price. An “alternate energy” home will be worth more and more in the future.
- Plug up all air leaks and insulate your home. Have at least 6” insulation in attic floor. Weatherstrip windows, doors, attic door or trapdoor. Caulk around exterior doors, windows, ceiling fixtures upstairs. Close fireplace damper when not in use. Insulate unheated basement ceilings. Close drapes at night, open in daytime. Set thermostat at 66 – 68 degrees day, 55 degrees night.
Home Cooling:
- Buy air conditioners intelligently. Buy the smallest size air conditioner that will do the job. Place window units on shady side of house, or provide shade from sun. Keep grills and filters clean. Close wall and floor registers. Use air cooling appliances only when necessary. Shut off and open windows during cooler nighttime.
- Become a hot weather energy economist. Properly insulate, caulk, weatherstrip. Locate thermostat where it will accurately measure temperature; mount on level and keep free of dust. Set air conditioning thermostats no lower than 78-80, and don’t keep changing them. Keep shades down, drapes drawn.
In the Marketplace:
- Be aware of the energy-efficiency of products. Buy fabric or clothing that doesn’t require ironing. Buy long lasting products. Buy recycled products where possible – less energy is required to make these products. Buy products which can be recycled. Get unwrapped produce. Avoid disposable products made of plastic & cellophane. Buy cold water cleaning agents.
- Buy energy saving appliances. Buy operating equipment on basis of initial cost plus operating expenses over period you expect equipment to last. Read labels. Be an aggressive energy conscious shopper – insist on energy information if not supplied. It will save you money in the long run. Avoid high energy users.
Yard and Garden:
- Be an energy-conscious horticulturalist. Don’t water if rain is forecast in the near future. Choose native plantings, which are adapted to your area and don’t need excessive watering or fertilizing. Use a hand mower for small lawns. Don’t idle gas mower for long periods. Use hand dippers and pruners. Keep pool filters and strainers clean.
- Let nature help with energy conservation. Plant shade trees on south and west sides of house to cool in summer and protect in winter. Plant shrubs around the foundation. Make a compost pile for fertilizing – artificial fertilizers use petroleum products. Grow your own vegetables and fruit if possible.
Workshop:
- Be a real do-it-yourselfer. Use hand rather than power tools where possible – good for your muscles as well as your electric bill. Keep tools in top operating shape – well sharpened and lubricated. Buy tools with the least horsepower adequate for the job.
Vacationing:
- Be an energy-conscious traveler. In hotel or motel, don’t use more heat, light, hot water or air conditioning than you really need. Pretend you are paying the energy bill (which indirectly you are). Make reservations ahead – don’t shop by car for a pace to stay.
- Vacation closer to home. Try a nearby hotel or campground – discover what visitors see in your area. Rediscover the pleasure of walking, hiking, bicycling, horseback & riding. If you travel, take a bus, train or plane. Try a resort area where you won’t need to car-hop as much. Think about staying home and eating all your meals out.
On the Road:
- Buy an energy efficient car. Buy a new car on the basis of purchase price plus operating expenses over expected life. Buy a light weight car and only those accessories you really need to reduce weight and increase fuel economy. Consider a manual shift, a fuel injection system and radial ply tires for less rolling friction. Consider a light exterior color.
- Keep your car in prime condition. Have car tuned regularly. Keep air filters clean. Check tire pressure regularly – under-inflated tires waste gas. Use air conditioning sparingly, if at all. Don’t carry excessive gear – it increases weight and wastes gas. Don’t put baggage on top of car – creates wind drag, thus uses more gas.
- Use energy efficient driving practices. Drive at a steady pace. Anticipate speed changes and accelerate or slow down smoothly. Don’t warm up car for more than one minute. Don’t “rev up” engine. Drive below 55 mph. Optimum speed for fuel economy is 30-40 mph. Shift to higher gears as soon as possible. Coast in gear when slowing down.
- Drive less. Save errands for one trip. Combine trips with friends. Schedule trips to avoid rush hour traffic. Patronize one-stop shopping centers. Remember walking? Bicycling? Use public transportation. Join a carpool to get to work. When you do drive, avoid heavily trafficked routes.
*In order to contribute to the overall efficiency of our entire electrical energy system, avoid when possible, use of appliances between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in winter and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in summer.
*Fireplace: If difference between inside and outside temperature is greater than 30 degrees, use of the fireplace will result in a net heat loss.
*Important Tips: Turn off lights when not in use. Turn off appliances when not in use. Close off rooms when not in use. Faulty appliances waste energy – repair or replace.
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