Action #8: Save energy and water
Our grandparents knew a time when electricity was a luxury. Today, electricity is so convenient that it is easy to forget that it is usually produced by burning non-renewable heavily-polluting fossil fuels. Most of us are unaware of how generating energy impacts the earth because to us it just comes out of a socket in the wall. In our world of coal-fired plants and nuclear reactors, home energy conservation translates into: cleaner air, cleaner water, a safeguard against global warming, and leaving habitat undisturbed from strip mining and drilling-in all, a more sustainable society. And it doesn't hurt that saving energy also saves us money too.
Purchase efficient appliances and use them wisely
When you are ready to purchase a new appliance be sure to consider its impact on the environment. Most major appliances have clearly displayed "Energy Guide" stickers that make comparing individual models' energy-efficiency easy. Consider buying the appliance with the lowest energy usage that meets your needs. Just by installing energy efficient appliances you can save over 50% of your energy consumption as compared to standard models. Remember that even if you have to pay extra for the energy-efficient model, it will often pay for itself (and then some) in reduced energy bills for the years to come. Before you buy a new appliance, check with your utility company for possible rebates on energy-efficient models!The Energy Star Program 1-888-STAR-YES
By designating the most energy-efficient appliance models as "Energy Stars", the Environmental Protection Agency makes it easy for us to purchase energy saving devices. When you are shopping for a new appliance, look for the energy star symbol directly on the item. If you want to make a thorough search for the most efficient appliance, check out the Energy Star website. They rate household appliances, furnaces, air conditioners, office equipment and windows.Save energy with your water heater:
install a water heater jacket
turn down your water heater to 120FWinter energy saving tips:
turn down your thermostat to 65F during the day and 57F at night
open the blinds and let the sun heat your homeSummer energy saving tips: turn up your A/C to 78F
keep your windows and blinds closed during the day
Resources:
Department Of Energy's Home Energy Saver
Type in your zip code to find out the most cost-effective, energy-saving home improvement tips for your area.Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. 1999.
Whether you considering repairs or renovations ACEEE's guide to energy savings will get you the information you need on energy-efficiency for: appliances, insulation, windows, landscaping, lighting, and home maintenance. Call ACEEE at (202) 429-0063 or visit www.aceee.org to order it for $8.95.
Lighting your home consumes approximately 25% of your total annual energy usage. It's no wonder when a normal (incandescent) 100 watt bulb turned on for 12 hours a day for one year requires 394 pounds of coal to be burned. There are two easy steps to remember:
(1) Turn off your lights when your aren't using them or when you can just let the sun shine in (it's free and it's naturally renewable).
(2) Install compact fluorescent light bulbs in your most commonly used lamps and fixtures. Compact fluorescent bulbs are a great alternative because they last 10 times longer and use one-fourth the energy of incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs cost around $15 but over the life of the bulb, they will save you $45 (mostly from energy savings) and prevent the burning of 300 pounds of coal. There are even torchiere lamps available that use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of energy-guzzling halogen bulbs.
Like electricity, water is easy to waste because we don't really see where it comes from. Water conservation is an important environmental issue for two main reasons. Saving water: (1) helps support wildlife habitat by replenishing local streams and lakes and (2) saves energy that would otherwise have been used to heat that water and purify the water at your local water treatment plant. Fortunately it is quite easy to conserve water at home. Up to 50% of home water usage comes from taps running unnecessarily. To prevent wasting water, try to determine where the water in your home is escaping. Shutting off your faucet while you are washing your dishes or brushing your teeth may seem insignificant but it quickly adds up to monumental conservation when you multiply it by millions of people.
Water saving tips:
(1) Install faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads
Faucet aerators, reduce the amount of water you use while still maintaining the water pressure. They are easy to install and are less than $10. Most large hardware stores carry them. By using a faucet aerator, you can transform your faucet from using four gallons per minutes to less than one gallon.The average showerhead uses up to 6 gallons of water each minute we shower. By using a low-flow showerhead, you will cut your water consumption down to 1-2 gallons per minute (more than a 75% reduction) without significantly diminishing water pressure. Some showerheads even have a handy switch to turn off the water while you lather up. Spending $25 to retrofit one showerhead and two faucets will save you up to $100 per year on your utility bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 580-3200 pounds. Cutting the length of your showers is also an easy way to save water.
(2) Transform your toilet into a water miser
Toilets use more water than anything else in our homes. The common household toilet can account for 40% of a home's indoor water use. Astonishingly, we flush away around 19 gallons of water per person everyday.A cheap way to reduce the flow in your current toilet is to fill a slim milk jug with water and place it in the toilet tank. This will displace some of the water, reducing the water required to fill up the tank. Keep adding bottles and jugs until there isn't enough water to effectively clean the bowl. Be sure that you don't impede the workings of the toilet's mechanisms. Also, don't use a brick as a displacement device because it breaks apart and can cause plumbing problems. If you want to get fancy, you can purchase a water dam that partitions off part of your tank to reduce water use.
When you need a new toilet, buy one that is designed to conserve water. Older toilets use 5-7 gallons of water per flush but ultra-low flow toilets can reduce a flush to 1.6 gallons or less (and still keep the bowl nice and clean).
Remember every kilowatt of electricity and every gallon of water you conserve helps create a cleaner environment. Every little bit helps!