There are many simple ways to save energy; some involve very little time or effort, some involve more time or effort, but may have bigger savings as well. Here are a quick 25.
1. Turn off light bulbs when not in use – savings = 100%
2. Use compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) wherever possible – savings = 75% http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls (be sure to dispose of them properly)
3. Close your curtains or drapes in the summer daytime, especially if you are not home – savings up to 25% of heating and cooling http://www.curtainandbathoutlet.com/energy_saving_items.htm
4. Install insulation in your attic – savings varies, see http://www.warmair.net/html/insul_calc.htm
5. Set the thermostat higher in summer, lower in winter, and wear appropriate clothing – savings varies see http://www.mge.com/home/saving/thermostat.htm
6. If you can, use mass transit; if you can’t use mass transit, car pool – savings varies widely, depending on lots of issues.
7. If you commute, see if you can work 4 ten hour days instead of 5 eight hour days – savings 20% of gas bill, plus saving on wear and tear on car
8. If you commute, see if you can telecommute, at least some of the time.- savings depends on how often
9. Instead of going to a meeting in another city, try teleconferencing, videoconferencing, or web conferencing – savings nearly 100% of fuel for plane and for getting to and from the plane
10. Don’t just turn things off when not in use, unplug them – savings hard to estimate
11. If you are considering moving, know your new address’ walkscore http://www.walkscore.com/ savings depends on what you do now and later
12. You may not need a car full time, try zipcar http://www.zipcar.com/webny/?crcat=ppc&crsource=gsnnyc&crkw=zipcar&engine=google&keyword=zipcar – savings varies
13. When buying a new car, consider gas mileage – savings varies
14. Pool your errands – savings varies
15. Walk more – it’s great exercise, too! – savings 100%
16. Bicycle more – see walking – savings 100%
17. Take a vacation you can get to by rail – savings varies, but trains are most efficient form of long distance travel
18. Eat less meat (meat is a huge energy waste)
19. Take shorter showers – savings based on how much shorter they are
20. Instead of a clothes dryer, try a clothesline or drying rack – savings 100%
21. if you have kids, use night lights, rather than leaving lights on – savings about 75%
22. Buy locally made products (shipping, whether by boat, train, truck, or plane, uses energy)
23. Turn off the TV and read a book – savings nearly 100%
24. Wash your clothes less often – savings varies
25 Only run the dishwasher when it’s really full – savings varies
