 Here’s
how to save energy and money. Go for a big, but doable goal—10
percent energy saved per year over the next five years—50
percent in five years!
For the average household, 10 percent per year energy savings
is only about 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of energy/year. Here’s
how doable that is:
Many families could achieve the first 1,000 kwh/year of savings
by washing clothes in cold water (770 kwh/yr); placing several
major electronics, such as video and stereo systems, on a
surge protector that can be switched off (47kwh/year); and
brushing of their refrigerator’s condenser coils twice a year
(392 kwh/year).
Many families could get another 1,000 kwh/year reduction
by replacing half of their incandescent lighting with compact
fluorescents (440kwh/year), letting the dishes in the dishwasher
air dry (404kwh/year), and enabling the "sleep"
function on their computer and printer to go on after five
minutes of non-use (259kwh/year).
Are you ready?
Here are 22 steps you can take -- each with the energy
savings you can achieve each year. Pick the ones you’ll
do to get your first 10 percent energy savings. (These energy
savings assume an average US home, which uses about 11,000
kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and 19,000 cubic feet
of natural gas per year.)
1. Turn off lights you’re not
using - We even have switchplate reminders for
you, downloadable on our Web site. (2 percent energy savings
per year, assuming an average family’s energy use)
2. Schedule an energy audit
- Your local utility will probably provide an audit for free,
and you may also get a more comprehensive audit (saving you
more money in the long term) by paying for a whole-house audit.
(Up to 50 percent energy savings per year)
3. Don’t heat or cool empty
rooms - If there is a room in your house that is
rarely used, close off the vents to save on heating and cooling.
(Varies by size of room.)
 4.
Give your dishwasher a rest - Skip the energy-intensive
drying cycle on your dishwasher and choose the air-dry option,
or open the door for zero-energy dish drying. (5 percent
energy savings per year)
5. Shift your energy load to off-peak
hours - Because power sources must produce electricity
around the time of use (without capacity for long-term storage)
it is our collective peak demand that triggers the building
of more polluting power plants. (Varies)
 6.
Turn off your electronics - If you’re going
to be away from your computer or other appliance for more
than an hour, turn it off. (5 percent energy savings per
year)
7. Eliminate “phantom load”
- Many electronics use energy even while turned off, so
your best bet is to unplug them when not in use. (5 percent
energy savings per year)
8. Make your fridge more efficient
- Keep your refrigerator’s coils clean to boost its overall
power, and store jugs of water in any empty space inside,
because water retains coldness better than air. (4 percent
energy savings per year)
 9.
Wash clothes in cold water - Your clothes will
get just as clean, on half the energy. (7 percent energy
savings per year)
10. Give up your dryer
- Hang your clothes to dry on a clothesline or indoor rack.
(10 percent energy savings per year)
11. Plug your air leaks
- Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems are wasted
when you’re leaking out the cool or warm air you’re
putting in. (5 percent energy savings per year)
12. Reduce your water use
- Simple ways to save water include fixing any leaks and replacing
faucets and showerheads with low-flow options. (3 percent
energy savings per year)
13. Cut waste through windows
- Properly seal window edges, cover windows with curtains
to prevent heat loss, or coat windows with reflective “low-e”
films that reduce heat loss while still allowing light to
shine through. (10 percent energy savings per year)
14. Help your hot water heater
- Add an insulating cover to reduce heat loss. (1 percent
energy savings per year)
 15.
Install ceiling fans - Reduce your air conditioner
usage with ceiling fans. Look for "Energy Star"
models that use 50 percent less energy. (19 percent energy
savings per year)
16. Get a programmable thermostat
- Automate when your heating or cooling systems come on to
save energy while you sleep or are away from home. (10
percent energy savings per year)
17. Upgrade your appliances
- Look for the "Energy Star," and you may be eligible
for a tax break. (3 - 12 percent energy savings per year)
18. Upgrade your hot water heater
- Save energy and space by upgrading to a tankless or solar
hot water heater. (14 percent energy savings per year)
19. Green your roof
- Studies have found that a green roof on a typical
one-story building can result in a 25 percent reduction in
summer cooling needs. (12 percent energy savings per year)
 20.
Save energy through landscaping - The US Department
of Energy found that the proper placement of as few as three
shady trees will save an average household between $100 and
$250 in energy costs annually. (12 percent energy savings
per year)
21. Replace your windows
- In step 13, we have recommendations for working with the
windows you have. Replacing your windows with more energy-efficient
versions can save you even more. (14 percent energy savings
per year)
22. Don’t waste energy on TV
- With the switch to digital TV coming in 2009, many people
are buying new, digital-ready TVs. If you must shop for a
new television, look for an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen,
which uses six times less energy than a plasma screen. (2
percent energy savings per year)
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