Energy Conservation

As we all try to cut back on our bills as well as live an eco-friendly life, it can raise our awareness of how wasteful we can be.  Coal and oil are NOT renewable resources; once we've used them up, it will take the planet thousands of years to replenish those resources.  In addition, the more you can cut your energy use, the more you will save on your bills!  So adopt a few simple habits every week or month to lower your energy consumption:

Around the House/Office

• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater
• Intall a programmable thermostat; its worth the investment!
• Use the sun to your advantage!  Open blinds in the winter for natural heat and close them in the summer to stay cool
• Wash the clothes in cold water
• Install compact flourescent lightbulbs and turn off the lights when leaving a room
• Turn off your computer or set it to sleep mode when finished
• Kill Energy Vampires!!!  UNPLUG appliances, especially chargers, when not in use
• Use the microwave or toaster oven over the range whenever you can
• Go easy on your thermostat settings...turn it down a couple degrees in the winter and up a couple degrees in the summer
• Consider buying a laptop computer; they use 1/4 the energy as desktops
• Shade your window air conditioner, it will run more efficiently
• Use power strips where you can around the house and turn off the strips every night

On the road:

• Empty out your car, less weight = better gas mileage
• Drive slower and use cruise when you can
• Properly inflate your tires
• Carpool, bike, or walk any time you can
• DO NOT IDLE!  Idling wastes precious gas for no reason!
• Start and stop slowly, you will use less gas

Lifestyle:

• Buy local and take your own grocery bags with you!
• Recycle
• Get off junk mail lists and request your bills be sent via email
• Grow your own veggies
• Drink tap water!  Think of all the wasted resources it takes to ship water in from other states or countries!