Energy-Saving Tips

Even small changes in your energy consumption and living habits can go a long way toward protecting our planet.

A great way to get started is to determine your current carbon footprint and where you are consuming the most energy. Here are two useful sites:

• PG&E’s Carbon Footprint Calculator
• Zero Footprint’s Carbon Calculator

Next, here are 15 favorite simple ways you can save energy everyday. These are our favorite and some of the easiest and highest impact things you can do to lower your carbon footprint.

1. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs
   CFLs last up to 10 times longer and use 75% less energy than the incandescent bulbs most people have in their homes. Sure, they cost more, but they’ll save you money in the long run. For more information, please see “How to live with CFLs.”
2. Take public transportation
   Driving your car just 10 miles less each week for a year would save the environment from several hundred pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
3. Check your tire pressure
   Cars are most fuel-efficient when tires are properly inflated. Also, take heavy items out of your trunk to get better mileage and think about upgrading to an energy-efficient, biodiesel or hybrid vehicle.
4. Reduce, reuse, and recycle
   Choose products with less packaging. Use items like pasta sauce jars as drinking glasses. Donate old clothes and toys. Consider buying used products, rather than brand-new ones. Recycle glass, metal, aluminum, paper, and plastics and even your cellphone and computer. To find a place to recycle your electronics in your city, visit Electronics Recycling.
5. Unplug appliances
   Nearly 10% of the average electricity bill is due to idle appliances and electronics left plugged in. Unplug appliances such as DVD players, TVs, microwaves, computers, mobile phone chargers, and when they're not in use.
6. Drink from the tap
   Some city's tap water exceeds the quality of many bottled waters. By not buying plastic water bottles, you save energy used to produce and dispose of bottles. If you buy plastic water bottles, be sure to reuse and recycle them.
7. Use less water
   Low-flow showerheads, and cold-wash laundry cycles can reduce the amount of household energy used by 14% to 25%. The same goes for turning down your hot water heater to 120 degrees. Save up to 100 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by running your dishwasher only when there's a full load.
8. Vote green
   See “Get out the green vote” on the right-hand column of this page for information about how you can get involved to influence politics on a local, state and national level.
9. Adjust your thermostat
   A minor change of your thermostat setting to +2 degrees in the summer and -2 degress in the winter can save your hundreds of dollars in electricity bills and our planet hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
10. Use alternative energy sources
    Consider going solar, or capturing the wind. Solar and wind power are renewable, clean energy sources. Your local utility provider may offer financial incentives for individuals and businesses that choose to install solar projects. Find a solar provider in your area.
11. Replace old appliances
    Old washers, driers, and refrigerators consume a lot more energy than newer appliances, especially those with an Energy Star rating. Check to see if your local utility provider offers rebates on new energy-efficient purchases as an added incentive to replace old appliances.
12. Eat local and organic
    Fruits, vegetables, and meat often travel thousands of miles to get to our plates. When possible, buy local produce, at places like local farmer's markets. You'll be supporting the local economy as well as saving fuel. Also, organic farming boosts the environment by producing soil that is better able to take CO2 out of the atmosphere than conventional farms. To locate a farmer’s market in your area, visit the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Farmer’s Market Map.
13. Eat fewer animal products
    Livestock contribute about 20% of the total methane emissions in the U.S. By eating fewer animal products, our air will be cleaner, you will be healthier, and those cows, chickens, and sheep will be happier. For more information, check out Wikipedia.
14. Compost
    Composting helps the local economy, reduces trash in landfills, and creates nutrient-rich fertilizer. Contact your local garbage collection company to see if your city has a curb-side composting program. You can also learn how to create your own compost pile.
15. Take a vacation near home
    Airplanes produce a huge amount of emissions. Instead of flying, consider exploring places closer to home, go camping, visit local museums, or get to know a nearby town. For a more scientific look visit the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.