1. To save energy, walk around your kitchen and notice how many appliances are kept plugged in when not in use. Things like your toaster, toaster oven, electric can opener and one of the biggest, your microwave. They are still drawing energy. Simply unplug and only plug in when you are using
them.

2. Make sure that your hot water heater is not no higher than 120 degrees. That is hot enough to disinfect and anything hotter than that is a waste.

 3. Keep a gallon pitcher of water in the fridge, so you are not running the tap water wastefully to get it cold.

4. To keep your freezer more energy efficient, when it is not full, put your icecubes in baggies for easier use and fill up the empty spots.

5. Set your dish washer to air dry instead using the heat dry cycle to save energy.

1. Use programmable thermostats to cut down on heating costs. They can be set for the heat to go up just when you will be needing it.

2.Check all the caulking around windows and replace as needed to cut drafts and lower fuel use.

3.Insulate the outside of your water heater, so the water stays hot longer and has to be heated less.

4. Shower with a friend to save water and heating costs. ;-)

5.Use low-flow shower heads.

6. Install solar panels to help heat your house.

7.Use solar shades on windows in summer to keep sun out and save on air conditioning.

8.Use Battery operated lawn mowers instead of gas.

9.Use cruise control on the highway to save on gas.  An even , steady pace uses less.

10. Buy energy saving appliances and light bulbs.

11. Instead of buying new books, and throwing away old ones, get friends to swap.

1. Use Compact fluorescent bulbs, they use 75% less energy & last 10 times longer.
 
2. Fix & repair any leaky faucets.
 
3. Inspect & repair leaky ductwork.
 
4. Use Power Strips for Home Electronics.
 
5. Clean your Dryers lint filter after every load.
 
6. Always dry loads of Laundry Close togther. It will minimize heat loss.
 
7. Only run your dishwasher & washer, when you have have a full load.

1. Replace single pane windows with double pane Low-E windows.  Your house will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. 

 2.Replace window screens with energy saving solar sun screens.  Solar sun screens offer an easy and practical method for improving the energy efficiency of windows and glass doors.

 3.Replace your old A/C and heating unit with a new more energy efficient model.  The higher the SEER Rating the more efficient the unit is. 

 4.Install a whole house fan in the ceiling below the attic.  Turn it on when the temperature is lower outside, than inside your home.  It will draw cooler air into your home, and force the hot air out of the attic.  Don't forget to open the windows, and shut the vent on the fireplace.  :)

 5.Install reversible ceiling fans to help circulate the air.  It will keep you cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter.

 6.Save your plastic silverware, give it a wash, and reuse it!  When you entertain tell your guest you are being ecologically correct.  When dry-camping, throw the used utensils into a Ziploc bag. Wash them in the dishwasher when you return home.  Don't forget to turn off the heated drying cycle or they will melt.  :)    

 7.Dispose of your batteries at a hazardous waste collection site, rather than in the trash.

 8.Use flashlights with LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.  Your batteries will last a lot longer, and you'll have fewer batteries to dispose of.

 9.Use LED night lights instead of incandescent night lights.

 10.Save the paper from junk faxes and miss prints.  If you can't use it donate to a school for scratch paper.

 11.Recycle your ink and toner cartridges.

 12.Install a drinking water filter system or use a Brita Filter.  That will cut down the need for bottled water and recycling the bottles. 

 13.Tread lightly when camping, hiking, biking, boating, or whatever you do.  Try to leave the area nicer than you found it.  We always make sure to carry out our trash, and the trash of others, so when we come back it is still a nice place to be.  
 
 

1.  Do laundry in cold water, it saves heating up your furnace or boiler, saving oil and gas.  
 
2.  When it rains, put out buckets, sprinkling cans, or other containers to collect the rain water.  You can use that water, another day, for your flowers, plants or garden.
 
3.  When you wash your car, put your car in the yard.  That way, you water the grass, at the same time.  
 
4.  When you have errands to do, places to go.  Do as many as you can, in one trip, going to the fartherest away first and make your way back home, stopping at the other places, on the way.  It saves gasoline.
 
5.  Create a Compost Bin, in your back yard, to dispose of food or yard waste, instead of throwing items in the trash.  You will be recycling them.  
 
6.  In your house, only have a light on, in the room you are in.  If you leave a room, turn off the light.  
 
7.  Disposing of old printer ink cartridges, some office supply stores, can provide you with an envelope to mail them, to be recycled.  
 
8.  Check with local charity organizations, for items they collect and recycle, for money.  Like in my home town, the boy scouts, collect newspapers.  The Ronald McDonald House, has bins for collecting magazines.  Some schools and churches, collect Campbell's soup labels and other labels.  Goodwill Stores, will take your old clothing and other items.  Libraries will take old books.  
 
9.  Recycling old motor oil from your car, check with local auto stores or car service stations.  
 
10.  Recycling old phone books, check with your local municipal building.
 
11.  When you get packages in the mail, keep the boxes and use them.  Either to mail a future package or for storage use.
 
12.  If you have a damaged item, like a baby's crib, desk, or a door.  That you need to get rid of.  First, look for any screws, nuts, washers, bolts, or any other parts that you can save.  Those pieces, just might come in handy for a future project.   
 
13.  Save containers, like coffee jars, cans, etc.  For storage use of small items.  
 
14.  Save the rubber band, from around your delivered newspaper. Save the tie and bag, your bread came in.  That way, you will have rubber bands, bags, and ties for future use. 
 
15.  Save the Popsicle sticks, from a Popsicle, it comes in handy (for things like getting gum off the bottom of your shoes, and children's craft projects).  

1. Fix all your car leaks.  If your auto leaks…it will find its way to the ocean
2. Recycle your oil at a local garage.
3. Stop using Styrofoam – bring your own travel mug to the coffee shops.
4. Give things away that you are no longer using. (www.freecycle.com)
5. Cut off light in rooms that you are not using.
6. Opt to receive electronic billing statements – pay bills online.
7. Use rechargeable batteries.
8. Plant your own garden or buy locally.
9. Stop junk mail.