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Conserve Energy in Your Home
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1. Control the thermostat set it at 78 in the summer and 68 in the winter.
2. Replace older appliances with newer, energy efficient models as budgets permit.
3. Use newer, energy saving fluorescent light bulbs.
4. Unplug appliances and equipment when not in use even when off a small amount of current is drawn.
5. Lower the temperature on the hot water heater.
6. Insulate the hot water heater to preserve heat.
7. Weatherize doors and windows to prevent heating/cooling from escaping.
8. Turn off all lights when leaving a room.
9. Regulate the temperature in the refrigerator to 42 45 degrees and the freezer to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Keep air conditioner filters clean.
11. Keep dryer filters cleaned of lint and regularly check the venting hose.
12. When baking, open oven doors as infrequently as possible to prevent heat loss.
13. Use a microwave, convection or infrared oven as often as possible.
14. Do laundry whenever possible with cold water.
15. Hang clothing out to dry during warm summer months.
16. Try to shade your home with trees and foliage.
17. Put outside lights on a timer.
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Conserve Energy in Your Vehicle
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18. Carpool (share a lift) whenever possible.
19. When going distances under a mile, walk as often as weather and health permit.
20. Keep your vehicle overhauled, balance the tires and maintain adequate tread.
21. Drive a little slower.
22. Unless absolutely necessary, dont use the air conditioner as it uses more fuel.
23. Drive vehicles that get more miles per gallon, with less horsepower.
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Less Fossil Fuels More Renewable Energy
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24. Use solar power, hydropower, and buy green energy for the home.
25. Buy fuel that has biomass such as ethanol added to the mixture to conserve fossil fuels.
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Lawn and Garden Tips
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26. Use electric or rechargeable lawn mowers, weed-eaters and blowers.
27. Use the lawn clippings as natural fertilizer they give back nutrients to the soil.
28. Recycle wood chips to use as mulch which also helps to prevent erosion.
29. Use natural products such as fertilizer and pesticides instead of harmful chemicals.
30. Put lawn and garden debris into a compost pile rather than burning them.
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Less Waste
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31. Take re-usable shopping bags to the store.
32. Purchase foods in bulk whenever possible to reduce packaging.
33. Use reusable products as opposed to disposable whenever possible.
34. Use memo and bulletin boards for taking messages for family members instead of paper.
35. Use cloth napkins in lieu of paper.
36. Dont use paper or Styrofoam plates use washable tableware.
37. Use cloth diapers for babies as opposed to disposable.
38. Use washcloths instead of wet wipes.
39. Use leftovers instead of throwing them out get creative and make a whole new meal.
40. Buy rechargeable batteries whenever possible.
41. Instead of using staples on collated papers, use paperclips, theyre reusable.
42. Use both sides of the paper when writing cut up single-sided prints for memo pad.
43. Use email as opposed to snail mail.
44. Use a thermos instead of Styrofoam or paper cup.
45. Buy recycled paper for the home and office.
46. Only buy perishable groceries that you need rather than allowing the rest to go to waste.
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Use Water Sparingly
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47. Try not to water the lawn unless absolutely necessary.
48. Take your vehicle to the carwash instead of washing at home.
49. Use the dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes.
50. Only do full loads of laundry instead of a few items at a time.
51. Replace older toilets with newer models as the tanks use less water to flush.
52. Never leave water running while washing dishes by hand.
53. Used pressurized nozzles on sinks to reduce water usage.
54. Let the kids have fun put them in the bubble bath together if they are the same gender.
55. Check for leaks on washing machines, dishwashers and pipes.
56. Fix running toilets immediately.
57. Keep up with all water restrictions in your neighborhood/community.
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Recycle
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58. Reuse bubble wrap and packaging whenever possible.
59. Send used clothing off to be sold at local thrift stores/ buy used whenever possible.
60. Find recycle bins in your community for paper, metal, glass and plastic.
61. Use kitchen scraps for compost.
62. Donate books to a local library or school donate to charity thrift shops.
63. Donate old computers and electronics when buying newer versions.
64. Donate used childrens toys to charities or church bazaars.
65. Buy, trade, or sell used furniture and household appliances.
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Protect the Air
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66. Check vehicle emissions to prevent pollution.
67. Use renewable energy as opposed to fossil fuels. (This conserves energy while protecting the ozone)
68. Eliminate slow-burning or smoldering fires they emit the most toxins.
69. Dont burn green wood, older wood burns cleaner.
70. Use paint brushes and/or rollers instead of pressurized sprays.
71. Dont use lighter fuel for lighting fires and outdoor grills.
72. Just as walking or riding a bike instead of driving uses less fuel, it also reduces carbon emissions.
73. Instead of driving to the mall, shop online or by phone.
74. Keep your vehicles air filter replaced.
75. Buy products that have a low percentage of volatile organic compounds use water based instead.
76. When air quality is bad dont burn in fireplaces or barbeques.
77. Make sure to have all gas appliances checked periodically and keep them maintained.
78. Keep mold and mildew in the home to a minimum for cleaner, breathable air.
79. Plant trees and lush vegetation to help clean the air.
80. Protest deforestation by writing to your legislators boycott companies who are involved.
81. Even though hydrofluorocarbons are a thing of the past use pump hairspray instead of aerosols.
82. Use pumps in lieu of any aerosol products.
83. Make sure the Freon from cooling systems isnt leaking.
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Protect Water and Waterways
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84. Revegetate soil as soon as possible when it is barren to prevent runoff.
85. Never drop or throw anything into sewers or storm drains.
86. If using a septic tank and not municipal plumbing, have the drain fields checked regularly; periodic pumping.
87. Make certain your vehicle isnt leaking fluids.
88. Dont throw waste into lakes, rivers, inland canals or the ocean.
89. Never pour chemicals into the soil for disposal.
90. Refrain from antibacterial soaps as they contain trichlosan that is known to pollute the water supply.
91. Dont flush medication down the toilet; properly dispose of it at a municipal chemical waste site.
92. Pick up pet waste from the ground immediately.
93. Refrain from paving property as this causes excess runoff into waterways.
94. Never flush solvents or other hazardous chemicals down the toilet.
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Reduce Toxicity
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95. Avoid using products with mercury. For example, use digital thermometers as opposed to mercury ones.
96. Use organic household cleaners in lieu of chemicals.
97. Test older homes for lead paint. HUD has pamphlets on how to correct this problem.
98. Use rodent traps instead of poisons.
99. Have your home and place of business tested for the presence of radon gas.
100. Dont use mothballs, use aromatic chips instead.
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