|
|
|
To Do
Today
 |
Turn
down the temperature of your water heater to the warm
setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll
avoid scalding your hands |
|
|
Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators,
dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers. |
|
|
Survey your incandescent lights for opportunities to
replace them with compact fluorescents (CFLs). These
lamps can save three-quarters of the electricity used by
incandescents. The best targets are 60-100W bulbs used
several hours a day. New CFLs come in many sizes and
styles to fit in most standard fixtures. |
|
|
Check the age and condition of your major appliances,
especially the refrigerator. You may want to replace it
with a more energy-efficient model before it dies. |
|
|
Clean or replace furnace, air-conditioner, and heat-pump
filters. |
|
|
If
you have one of those silent guzzlers, a waterbed, make
your bed today. The covers will insulate it, and save up
to one-third of the energy it uses. |
Begin to identify "vampire appliances", or appliances that use
electricity while turned off. Total vampire usage is estimated
to cost consumers 3 billion dollars per year. Next to each
appliance is the amount of money used each year in standby mode,
assuming $0.11/kWh:
Plasma TV - $159.76
Computer - $34.21
Game Console - $25.73
DVD player - $8.67
What can you do? Place these appliances on power strips
with an on/off switch you can activate when not in use.
|
|
|
