Tips for Conserving Energy

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• Switch from Traditional Incandescent Light Bulbs to Compact Florescent Light Bulbs (C.F.L.) - If every American household replaced one regular light bulb with a C.F.L., the pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing one million cars from the road. A 30-watt C.F.L. produces about as much light as an ordinary 100-watt bulb. Although the initial price is higher, C.F.L.’s can last 12 times as long. C.F.L.’s are available at most home improvement stores.
   
• Buy Energy Star® Appliances - Products in more than 50 categories are eligible for the ENERGY STAR® label. They use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. Learn about products that can help you save money and help the environment by viewing the Appliance Wise Guide. 
   
• Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Buy rechargeable batteries to accompany electronic gifts, consider giving a battery charger as well.
   
• Use an Electric Lawn Mower - Gasoline lawn mowers are among the dirtiest of modern machines. A study funded by the Swedish E.P.A. found that using a four-horsepower lawn mower for an hour causes the same amount of pollution as driving a car 93 miles. Gas lawn mowers not only emit a disproportionate amount of CO2, they are also responsible for releasing carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the air.
   
• Use a Clothesline or Drying Rack instead of your High-Energy Gas or Electric Clothes Dryer - Clothes dryers are huge energy gluttons. Hints to reduce energy use: Clean the lint filter after each load (improves air circulation). Use the cool-down cycle (allows clothes to finish drying from the residual heat inside).
   
• Turn Down your Thermostat - You can decrease your heating costs by about 3 percent by turning down your thermostat just one degree. Turn it down five more degrees four hours a day and reduce your heating bills by almost 6 percent. If you’re going to be away for the weekend or out in the evening, turn down your thermostat. It’s not true that reducing the temperature means it will take more heat to bring it back up to a warm level (unless you have a heat pump in your home). Also, turn the heat down if your are throwing a party-every guest will be the equivalent of a 100-watt heater.
   
• Prevent Electricity Drainage - Televisions, video and DVD players, cable boxes and other electronic equipment waste huge amounts of energy. When these devices are left on standby (the equivalent of “sleep” mode for computers) they use about 40 percent of their full running power. Every year, the energy wasted in this way is the equivalent of the annual output of 26 power plants. To prevent energy drainage, plug such equipment into a power strip and turn it off when not in use.