Conservation

For the house – there are several very inexpensive things folks can do to significantly reduce energy costs :

  • Switching to more efficient light bulbs can cut your lighting bill 75 to 80%. It is as simple as changing a light bulb. Not long ago, the most affordable and efficient light bulbs were fluorescent.  Fluorescent bulbs put out the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs, yet use 75% less electricity. They also last much longer than a traditional light bulb. However, fluorescent bulbs take a long time to warm up in cold temperatures AND they contain toxic mercury.
  • The new kings of efficiency and affordability are LED bulbs, These light up instantly, regardless of the cold AND contain NO mercury. In addition, an LED bulb puts out MORE light for less wattage. For example, an LED bulb provides the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent bulb, YET uses ONLY 9 watts. On top of all that, LED’s last an average of TEN years and are very affordable. Simply replacing all your 60 watt bulbs with 9 watt LED bulbs can save you quite a bit of green. In addition, switching from incandescent night lights to LED’s can cut your bill. Generally incandescent night-light bulbs use about 4 watts. LED’s use .3 watts (Yes point three).What do you do with the your old flourescent bulbs when they finally burn out? Compact flourescent bulbs or CFL’s contain mercury, chucking them into the garbage is a very bad idea. With this in mind, Lowe’s offers a simple solution; check out their finder page for recycling, they help with recycling all kinds of stuff. Simple. For more info Click Here
  • Turning down your water heater can cut your heating bill. There is a dial on many water heaters that allow you to adjust the temperature of the water. Turning this down can save you some green. See your owners manual and the EPA link below for more info.
  • Installing attic fans either electric or solar powered keeps your attic cooler and reduces the amount of work on your air-conditioner. Another popular and efficient way to keep your attic cool is to install turbines on the roof that cool the attic when the wind blows.
  • In the Summer months hanging clothes outside to dry can cut down on electric bills. For the winter months re-routing your electric dryers hot air through a filter and into your home can utilize some of that heat you would otherwise throw away into the cold air. Why waste that heat? Do not try this with Gas dryers
  • Click This For the EPA Energy Efficiency Page

For the car – Everyone is trying to use less gas these days. To get the most out of every tank try the following;

  • check those tire pressures. Keeping your tires properly inflated can cut down on rolling resistance and increase gas mileage.
  • Keeping your car air filter and engine optimally tuned also saves on gas.
  • Driving the speed limit saves gas.
  • Coasting to stop signs and down hills also increases gas mileage.
  • Combine trips using the most efficient routes
  • Carpool

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