(And, for that matter, the earth)

An easy-does-it guide for heroes like you

1. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs in light fixtures used the most. The normal incandescent bulbs we’re used to are not very energy efficient. Compact fluorescent bulbs use about 1/4 the energy and can last 10 times as long. (Isn’t technology wonderful?) They often fit in the same fixtures and are available in most building and lighting supply stores.

2. Turn off unnecessary lighting. If you’re not in the room, you don’t need the light. Get in the habit of turning off the light every time you leave a room for more than a few minutes. For fluorescent lighting, turn them off only if you’ll be away for more than 15 minutes. This prolongs the life of the fixtures.

3. Use outdoor motion detectors and timers. Instead of leaving outdoor lights on all night while you sleep, let these handy devices turn them on only when they detect motion. Of course, that means they’ll come on for passing cars, waving flags and swaying branches, so position them carefully. With motion detectors, use the lowest wattage incandescent bulb that will do the job. If security is a concern, leave a low-wattage porch light on all night. For maximum security, use a high pressure sodium bulb on a timer or light sensor. Set the timer to come on at bedtime and go off at dawn. High-pressure sodium bulbs perform best when they’re on for long periods of time.

4. Use low-wattage bulbs where applicable. Unless you frequently read in your closets and hallways, bright lights really aren’t necessary in these areas. Switch to low-wattage bulbs and save some energy.

5. Dust off light bulbs. Dirty, greasy, smoky, light bulbs can reduce light output by as much as 10%. Dust your light bulbs regularly. (Make sure they are cool before touching them.) You’ll avoid the tendency of switching to a stronger bulb, which will use more energy.

6. Remove unnecessary lighting. Especially in track and recessed lighting, use only the number of bulbs needed to light an area. Three bulbs can usually do the same job as four if they are positioned accurately.

7. Use light from windows. Natural light is more efficient than electric, not to mention free. When you’re not frolicking about in your pajamas, leave the curtains open.

8. Paint and decorate in light colors. Dark colors absorb light. Light colors reflect light. The lighter the colors you use, the less artificial lighting is required to illuminate the area.

9. Use timers when on vacation. Not only will it save energy when lights are on timers, but burglars and prowlers will have no idea that you’re in Hawaii basking in the sun. Set your timer to turn lights on and off at different times on different days. Your home looks more lived-in this way.

10. Install dimmers. In areas where dimmed lighting makes sense, like the dining room and bedroom, dimmers save an equal percentage of energy as they are dimmed (dimmed 15% reduces energy consumption up to 15%).

11. Check your lamp shades. Many shades are decorative but absorb light or reflect it in the wrong direction. Without our attempting to be your interior decorator, you may want to consider switching to a more efficient shade in a lighter color.

12. Use task lighting. If you’re working diligently at a desk or workbench, other light in the room could be turned off or dimmed.

Heating

13. Pay attention to the thermostat. A few degrees can make more of a difference in your heating bull than it can in your comfort level. Keep the thermostat between 65° and 68° F (18 to 20° C). Chances are you won’t notice a few degrees.

14. Add extra insulation, in areas that are accessible, such as attics and crawl spaces, add an extra layer of insulation. Be aware, you can add too much, so consult an expert or utility company representative to determine the appropriate amount to add.

15. Enter and exit quickly. Every time an exterior door opens, a large amount of heat escapes, and cold air replaces it. Open outside doors as little as possible, and when you do, do so quickly. You also can use this as an excuse to send door-to-door solicitors on their way.

16. Clean filters monthly. Forced air furnaces have filters that trap dirt and dust. For efficient air flow, they should be cleaned or replaced. Shake reusable filters outside or spray them with a garden hose. Make sure they’re dry before replacing.

17. Close chimney dampers. Warm air rises up and out open chimneys at an alarming rate. Close your damper as soon as you’re certain the fire is completely out.

18. Use sweaters and blankets. These can enhance the "cozy" feeling of your home. Throw an extra blanket on the bed and wear a wool sweater if you home feels chilly. You’ll be warm and toasty before you know it.

19. Circulate heated air, since warm air rises, it tends to be trapped in the highest areas of your home. A ceiling or portable fan running at a very low speed can help distribute warm air more evenly and reduce the desire to turn the heat up.

20. Keep drapes and blinds closed. Drapes add an extra layer of insulation. If you don’t need the outside light, leave them closed. Mini-blinds also insulate, but to a lesser degree. Turn louvers down toward the ground outside. This diverts rising heat back into the room instead of trapping it between the blinds and the window.

21. Check heat ducts for leaks. Where accessible, feel ducts for crack or leaks. Any you find should be sealed tightly using foil-backed tape. Ducts in unheated areas should also be insulted where possible.

22. Keep heating vents unobstructed. These are often in or near the floor, and can easily end up under a dresser or a pile of clothes.

Cooling

23. Keep air conditioners clean. Air conditioner filters should be cleaned or replaced once a month during use. If you can do so safely, also clean the exposed grill and spines on the outside unit.

24. Maintain unobstructed air flow, both in the front and rear, be certain no objects are leaning on or directly in the path of incoming or exiting air flow.

25. Maintain 78° F (26C). For every degree you lower the temperature, the energy costs rise by 6%. A temperature setting of 75° F (24C) costs 18% more; a 72° F (22C) setting costs 36% more.

26. Use a programmable thermostat. Like heat, you only need your air conditioner on when you’re home. Set timers to come on no more than 30 minutes before you arrive home.

27. Keep doors closed. When you enter and exit your home, do so quickly. You’ll lose less cool air to the outdoors. When inside, close doors to rooms you don’t use.

28. Wear the right clothes. Loose and lightweight clothes can make a big difference in your comfort level. When air can circulate across you skin, it evaporates moisture and cools you naturally.

29. Insulation is just as important. In winter, insulation helps keep warm air inside. In the summer, it helps keep warm air outside. Make sure your home has the appropriate amount of insulation in walls, attics and crawl spaces.

30. Open windows at night. To take advantage of naturally cool night air, leave your windows open where it is safe to do so. In the morning, be sure to close them before it gets warm.

31. Plant deciduous shade trees. Not only will shade trees absorb the radiant heat before it hits your roof, planting trees helps clean the air, too.

32. Install a ceiling fan above the area where you spend most of your time. You’ll feel just as cool under a ceiling fan at 82° F (28° C) as you would in 77° F (25° C) still air.

Appliances

33. Maintain the right temperature in your refrigerator and freezer. Refrigerators can use up to 20% of the total electricity in your home. To keep your power bills low, don’t use more energy than necessary. The refrigerator should be set between 38° F (3° C) and 42° F (6° C). The freezer should be set between 0° F (-31° C) and 5° F (-26° C).

34. Keep them full. Surprisingly, it takes less energy to cool a full refrigerator or freezer than an empty one, provided it is not so jammed that air can’t circulate. Fill extra space with gallon jugs of water placed in the back of both the freezer and refrigerator. You can drink the water and use the ice in portable coolers.

35. Clean the condenser coils. Dust and pet hair can build up and cause the refrigerator motor to work harder. Clean them at least twice a year. Especially before relatives come to visit. The coils are located on the bottom or the back side of most models, but you probably knew that.

36. The doors should close tightly and stay closed. Check the seals for cracks or worn areas. If there are any replace them.

37. Open the refrigerator door less. Every time the door opens, warm air rushes in. Energy must be used to cool it back down. If you’re cooking, get out all the refrigerated items you need for the recipe at the same time. And when you’re finished with them, put them back in the refrigerator at the same time, too.

38. Let food cool. Don’t place hot or even warm food directly inside the refrigerator. Let it cool first; you’ll save energy.

39. Always cover everything. Humidity escapes from uncovered foods. The compressor must work harder to remove the excess humidity.

40. Defrost food in the refrigerator. Instead of defrosting food on the counter where it may spoil, or in a microwave where it will use extra energy, place it in the refrigerator 24 hours before you need it. This will help keep the temperature down in the refrigerator while it thaws.

41. Replace appliances with energy-efficient models. When old models wear out, replace them with modern, energy-efficient ones.

42. Use microwaves for most cooking. A microwave does small and medium cooking jobs more efficiently than an oven or range top. Follow a recipe for suggested cooking time and don’t cook foods longer than needed.

43. Choose the right pan for the job. When using the range top, remember that pans with flat bottoms heat more efficiently than those without. If you’re using a small pan, use the small heating element.

44. Use all appliances wisely. TV’s, radios, computers, and vacuum cleaners use relatively minor amounts of electricity. But it all adds up. Don’t leave these or any other small appliances on when they are not in use.

45. Wash only full loads in the dishwasher. If you need a particular dish that happens to be dirty, don’t run a half full dishwasher to clean it, just wash it by hand.

46. Wash clothes in cold water. With today’s cold temperature detergents, most modern clothing cleans just as well in cold water. Wash in cold water on economy cycles and always have a full load. Also, 15 minutes of presoaking and 5 minutes of agitation gets clothes cleaner than 15 minutes of agitation.

47. Don’t over-dry clothes in the dryer. They actually last longer if you don’t. Use air dry cycles on lightweight loads. Hang all your clothes, underwear excluded, outside in summer.

48. Add energy- efficient shower heads and faucet aerators. These can reduce the amount of water delivered from the tap by up to 50%, with almost no noticeable difference in pressure. That means 50% less water needs to be heated. Put them on without telling your family and see if they notice the difference.

49. Heat water to the right temperature. The recommended temperature is 120° F (49° C). However, some dishwashers require the temperature to be slightly higher. Consult your product manual or check with the manufacturer. Caution: turn off the power at the circuit breaker panel before changing the temperature on an electric water heater.

50. Repair leaks at once. A dripping faucet can waste 6-10 gallons (23-38 liters) of water a day. (Not to mention drive you crazy.) The cause is most often a worn out washer. Replacing it takes just a few minutes.

51. Insulate hot and cold water pipes. If pipes are exposed beneath your home, insulate them with special foam tubing insulation or tape fiberglass insulation blankets around them.

52. Turn your water heater off when you are on vacation. If you plan on being gone for more than a few days, turn your water heater off. Make note to remind yourself to turn it back on when you return.

53. Insulate your water heater. Adding an R-11 insulation blanket to your water heater will help conserve energy. It’s easy to install and inexpensive.

54. Take a shower instead of a bath. The average bath uses twice as much hot water as a 5- minute shower.

55. Turn faucets off immediately after use. We all tend to leave the faucet running while we wash dishes or shave. Turning the faucet on only when necessary can save thousands of gallons of water a year, not to mention the energy to heat it.

56. Apply weather stripping to stop drafts around doors and windows. Beneath doors, install common draft guards available at most hardware stores and home centers. Add weather stripping to window and door frames.

57. Caulk smaller gaps. Most homes have cracks and leaks that are equal to a 2’x2’ open window. For large cracks without moving parts, such as in walls, floors or foundations, apply spray foam insulation.

58. Install storm windows or double layer windows. An economical storm window alternative is plastic sheeting. Many types are available. Look for those which can be heated with a hair dryer and shrunk to create a clear, non-distorted view.

59. Use drapes to insulate. Keep drapes closed to keep warm air in. Keep them open to allow the sun’s ray’s to help warm chilled rooms.

At Work

60. Switch to energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps. They use about ¼ as much energy and can last ten times longer, saving energy and replacement labor. In rooms that are not occupied constantly, such as conference rooms, lunchrooms and bathrooms, occupancy sensors will automatically turn lights on when people enter the room and off after they leave. Lighting accounts for 40% of energy used in office buildings.

61. Remove excess lights. Many older office and warehouse buildings have more lighting than needed. In many areas, half the light may be sufficient to light the area. When removing excess fluorescent tubes, remember to disconnect the ballasts that serve them.

62. Install separate switches for small areas. Often in large buildings, dozens of lights are controlled by a single switch, and not all of them need to be on. These lights can be rewired into smaller groups of lights on independent switches. This way only those needed can be turned on.

63. Keep the heating and cooling to a minimum. Heating and cooling accounts for half the total energy use in office buildings. If you have individual thermostat controls, keep the heat set at 65° F (18° C) and air conditioning at 76° F (24° C). A programmable thermostat can set the temperature back at night.

64. Shut computers off at night. A single computer can use over 100 watts of power, and most desks have one. Same with printers. When replacing computers, purchase the new energy efficient types that use up to 90% less energy.

65. Fax and copy only when necessary. Sometimes we take advantage of these common luxuries, but there was a day when we didn’t have them. If you must make copies, make duplex copies. Make all your copies in one batch, then turn off the machine if you know it won’t be needed again soon. When purchasing copiers and fax machines, buy only the new energy-efficient ones (look for the EnergyStar label).

66. Keep heating vents unobstructed. In offices, this includes furniture placed over floor vents. In warehouse buildings where one vent supplies a large area, be sure nothing obstructs the air flow. The air should be able to move across the entire room.

67. Open freight doors only when needed. As soon as the job is done, close the door to conserve energy.

68. Use rotating doors. If there is a choice in your building, use rotating doors instead of standard swinging or sliding doors. They allow less heat to escape.

69. Take the stairs. Instead of the elevator, take the stairs. You’ll save energy and get a little exercise to boot. Replace burned out motors with energy-efficient ones.

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