Tips on being energy effcient

[♥Starlene]

Some tips on being more energy efficient!

Set the A/C units as high as comfortable, for each degree above 78 you will save 6-8% in cooling costs... I know its a HOT summer, but this is good to keep in mind....

Keep windows and drapes closed on hot days...

Dont place lamps with incandescent blubs near your a/c thermostat. The heat they give off with cause the air conditioning to run longer.

Run the heat producing appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers, even ovens during the coolest part of the day in the summer months.

Check A/C filters monthly and clean them to have the A/C run as efficiently as possible and it keeps your house cooler and air cleaner! Also make sure the coils are cleaned periodically, that too helps it run more efficiently.

Turn your water heater thermostat no farther up then 120 degrees F. Some manufactures set their thermostat at 140 which is scalding (to me). If you turn it down you will not only have to not worry about burning yourself when you turn the water on hot, you will save money too!

I don't know about any of the other states, but here in Florida they have private contractors that work with FPL (Florida Power and Light company) that will come out to your home and paint the roof with a clear seal that will reduce the heat that comes into your home and insulate your house. The cost of that program is totally free to the consumer, FPL pays for it as part of their energy awareness program. Checking into something like that in your state might be a good idea too. It saves you money and doesn't cost anything so why not, right?

What are some things you all do to be more energy efficient,,, I would love to hear! I am always looking for something else I can do to help the environment,,, and all these things I posted are either free or cost very little to do

[veggiechef]

Go to a live, raw diet...no cooking required! lol

But seriously, I could never live without my brownies!

OK.....As your incandescent light bulbs burn out, replace them with compact fluorescents. They are becoming more and more readily available everywhere in the USA, they last longer, and they use much less energy. I heard that Australia is making them mandatory in the very near future.

This one is for my fellow Americans...PLEASE purchase the smallest vehicle that is practical for your situation. Do you really need that big ol' gas guzzling SUV just for the daily commute to the office? American fuel consumption is the highest in the world.

If there are rooms in your house that you don't use on a daily basis (such as the guest bedroom) why cool and heat it? Close off the vent when the room is not in use, and the climate control will go to the parts of the house that you do use every day.

RECYLCE...even if your particular community does not mandate it. In my town, there are two local Fire Houses that serve as a drop off point for recyclables. Love your Mother Earth !

Star, thanks for starting this post, which is a subject near and dear to my heart!

[veggiechef]

OK a few more green tips....

It takes petroleum to manufacture plastic grocery bags! Cut down on your use of expensive and enviro-unfriendly plastic bags...re-use them for a second trip to the store. Also, use those plastic bags to line your smaller wastepaper baskets, instead of buying a roll of bags at the store.

Better yet, don't use the bags at all, and carry canvas tote bags to the store for your grocery purchases.

[♥Starlene]

Oh yes, Whole Foods actually gives you 5 cents back for every bag you reuse on your next trip there.... I thought that was a great idea when I found that out,,, and they are not the regular cheap bags they are actually usable for more then a trip or two, I have actually used the same one for months to put my wet bathing suit in and carry it home from the gym.... I get creative with grocery bags, even use them to stuff boxes with hehe... It works and its recycling them!

[Sloan]

Love the tips ladies! For cars too, if you can car pool, do it! Save on gas, besides it always makes for fun social time! I've been putting energy saver light bulbs in for awhile now, took a little bit since when they first came out they were so expensive but now they're reasonable.
How about in the winter, sealing your windows to keep the heat in and cold out? I even do this with our back door actually, seal it off since we don't use it once the snow really starts to flow!
I'm gonna have to think about what else to add now...hmmmm

[♥Starlene]

Hey if you can do it like I do and work from home hehehe! I know that is not feasible in most cases but it totally saves having to drive to work and you get to work in your PJ's too hehehe ;-)

[Sloan]

O I soooo wish I could do that but enless I take a MAJOR change in career it ain't gonna happen. Sigh...oh well.

[Christine]

Or you could take public transportation! Depending on where you live of course. I like being car-free

[veggiechef]

Ugh! My town does not have a bus line that runs to my 'burb...and I live in the state capital, if you can believe it!

but, I do drive a Nissan Versa, which is quite small and great on gas. I thought about a hybrid, but its tough to find anyone who knows how to fix 'em besides the dealer.

[Sloan]

I couldn't do public transpo for work. The bus doesn't leave early enough around here to do it and even if it did I'd be late for work and it stops running by the time I get off work. When I was in a different job, I did you it all the time though.Not having to deal with car related issues was great.
One neat trend I've been seeing around here lately is that, there have been alot more wind mills going up for wind power instead of electric and solar panels too. I like that idea too, going more all nature power instead of the other.

[saffy]

I do most of things mentioned here...but thanks for reminders about other things. I need to change my filter..thanks for the reminder

[Christine]

I stopped using paper cups at work and use a mug. I also switched from using tissues to hankies.

[♥Starlene]

I wish we could do the solar panels here, there is something about the sun and or humidity that they stop working in south Florida. They tried them for a while but they all stopped working after a short while... I even had a windchime out back that has a solar panel in it for a light in the globe... (Its a cool windchime) but it stopped working after a very short while.... The windchime is still cool tho...

So here are a few tips,,, I have ceiling fans in my house, just about in every room. All of them have either 3 or 4 places for light bulbs... I unscrew the ones I dont need just a little so they turn off but are still secure in their sockets. It saves energy that way. I have replaced most of my bulbs with the fluorescent ones, they just all havent been used and I figure waste is not good either, so the ones I use a lot for sure have the fluorescent bulbs in them and the ones less used are the regular ones as they die I put the fluorescent ones in... I also did that in my bathroom, I only need one bulb in there when I shower and stuff, if I need to put on makeup when its dark I screw the other one in.

This one helps your tummy and your pocket... Keep the fridge full, things in the fridge keep cool better and longer then just air so keeping it full of things (not too full) but enough to allow the air to circulate will keep it cooler in there better.... It also saves you money from going to the store more often by being stocked up and keeps you eating healthier when you have good food close at hand.