Easy Ways to Save Energy

Save electricity and reduce your carbon footprint.

Saving energy at your home or workplace lets you do two great things at once: save money and help the environment. By lowering the amount of energy you consume, you are reducing carbon emissions and lowering your impact on the environment. You don't have to spend a lot of money to save energy; all you have to do is apply energy-saving principles that will not drastically alter your life or routine.

Instructions

1. Save energy by driving less or carpooling. Combine trips on errands to reduce your gas use and save money. Carbon emissions from exhaust fumes are bad for the air and the environment. Fossil fuels are precious natural resources that cannot be replenished in our lifetime.

2. Turn off electrical appliances and gadgets when you're away or not using them. Turn off computer monitors and televisions if you are not using them for 15 minutes or more.

3. Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. These cost slightly more than regular incandescent bulbs, but they use 70 percent less electricity and last 10 times longer. These bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, but so does a can of tuna. Because of the mercury, you will have to discard the used bulb in a safe manner (see Resources).

4. Get the most out of your heating and cooling system. Have it regularly inspected and checked for defects. Install additional insulation. Wrap your hot water heater with an insulating blanket. Use sun-blocking drapes or shades to keep your home or office cooler with less energy in the summer.

5. Replace your appliances with more energy efficient models if they break or wear down.

References

• Eco Mall: 20 Things You Can Do to Conserve Energy
• CarbonFund.org: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
• Saving Electricity: Saving Energy on Lighting

Resources

• Alliance to Save Energy: Creating An Energy-Efficient World
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Recycling and Disposal After a CFL Burns Out