10 Free Ways to Use Less Electricity at Home
- Switch to CFLs
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If every American swapped just one lightbulb for an ENERGY STAR labeled CFL, it would collectively save more than $8 billion in energy costs, and remove 2 million cars worth of greenhouse gas emissions from our atmosphere.
1. Turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms.
2. Set your thermostat back a few degrees. Set it lower when you are away or asleep.
3. Use the dishwasher to do the dishes. Always run full loads, and use the "energy-saver" option if there is one.
4. Wash and rinse laundry in cold water. Always run full loads.
5. Install a low-flow showerhead and take shorter showers.
6. Close the fireplace damper when it is not in use. (Wait several hours after the fire dies.)
7. Unplug battery chargers, mobile phones, laptops and other devices when not in use.
8. Learn to cook more meals in your microwave.
9. Clean your furnace filters monthly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and cause your furnace to work harder, using more energy.
10. Clean your dryer's lint filter after each load. Make sure the dryer vent is unobstructed.
