Energy-efficient Motors
Of all the electricity used in the commercial sector. Most motors in the commercial sector are used to power fans and
pumps in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. It’s not unusual for a motor to consume many
times its capital cost in electricity every year. For all these reasons, it’s clear that the motors in your building probably
offer significant opportunities for savings.
Types of Motors
“Induction” motors are by far the most common type found in commercial buildings. They are used in approximately 90
percent of applications, so chances are you have quite a few of them in your facility. They are reliable and inexpensive
and operate on single-phase or three-phase power, although most motors larger than one horsepower are three-phase.
When comparing motors, the most common characteristics to be aware of include: enclosure type, speed, efficiency and
service factor. When replacing a motor, be sure to compare these specifications on the replacement motor with those
recommended by the equipment manufacturer.
Enclosure type – The motor enclosure refers to the casing of the motor and is designed to match the motor to its
operating conditions. The two most common types are Open Drip-Proof (ODP) and Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled (TEFC).
ODP motors are made with ventilation openings in the casing that are positioned to keep liquid or particles from falling
into the motor from above. They are a very common motor for HVAC fans and pumps. TEFC motors have enclosed
casings, as the name implies, to keep moisture and particles out. They are equipped with an integral fan for cooling and
typically are used in dirtier or wetter environments.
Speed – Induction motors are available in a wide range of speeds although 1,800 revolutions per minute (RPM) is the
most common, accounting for more than 50 percent of the motor population. Motors of 1,200 and 3,600 RPM also are
popular enough to be stocked by distributors and manufacturers.
Efficiency – Standard-efficiency and energy-efficient three-phase motors are available from most manufacturers of ODP
and TEFC motors in speeds of 1,200, 1,800 and 3,600 RPM. Some manufacturers also offer a line of premium efficiency
motors. Higher efficiency motors are built with higher quality materials and other design features that improve their
performance over standard models.
Service factor – The service factor specifies the capacity of the motor to withstand prolonged overload conditions. A
service factor of 1.0 indicates that prolonged operation above full load can damage the motor. A service factor of 1.15 is
typical for motors one horsepower and above, and indicates that the motor can work at 1.15 times its rated horsepower
without failing.
Ways to Save on Motor Energy Costs
Turn it off – The simplest and most obvious method of saving motor energy is simply to turn it off when its not needed.
Motors often run unnoticed when they are not needed, increasing energy costs. Motors can be switched manually and this
is a fine solution for many applications, but there are also timers and sensors available that will turn them off
automatically. Examples of motors that could be turned off at night include those for service hot water circulation, air
compressors and ventilation fans.
2
Reduce the speed on a fan motor – Another simple method of reducing motor energy costs is to reduce the speed of an
HVAC fan. Energy consumption of fans and pumps varies according to the speed raised to the third power, so small
changes in speed can make big changes in energy consumption. The chart below shows the relationship of fan speed in
revolutions per minute (RPM) to power
consumption. Most HVAC equipment
comes from the factory with fan motor
speeds preset, although they can often be
reset on-site by an HVAC technician if a
slower speed will still deliver the
necessary airflow. Be sure to check with
your technician or building engineer
before reducing fan speeds to make sure
that doing so won’t adversely affect
indoor conditions. Most air conditioning
equipment is designed to deliver about
400 cubic feet per minute of airflow per
ton of cooling capacity in order to
function properly.
Use variable speed drives (VSD) for
variable loads – Some loads driven by
motors don’t need to operate at the same
speed all the time. For example, pumps
and fans often don’t need to produce the
same flow all the time. These types of
loads offer big opportunities for savings by moderating their speed according to their load. For example, reducing a fan’s
average speed by 20 percent with a VSD can reduce energy consumption by more than 40 percent. Actual savings will be
slightly less than those shown on the power consumption graph since variable speed drives themselves aren’t 100 percent
efficient. Some examples of potential VSD savings are provided in the table below.
Potential Savings from Variable Speed Drives for Fans and Pumps
Average Percent
Speed Reduction
Potential Energy
Savings
Annual Energy Cost
Savings for a 5
Horsepower Motor
Annual Energy Cost
Savings for a 10
Horsepower Motor
10% 22% $272 $543
20% 44% $543 $1,087
30% 61% $753 $1,506
40% 73% $901 $1,803
50% 83% $1,025 $2,050
60% 89% $1,099 $2,198
Note: The annual cost savings estimate assumes a 5 or 10 horsepower motor operating
3500 hours per year at the average speed reduction shown in the chart. The potential
energy savings assume approximately five percent energy losses due to the VSD.
Specify energy-efficient motors – When replacing an existing motor or when specifying new equipment, consider using
a high-efficiency motor. High-efficiency motors use better quality materials and are manufactured to higher quality
specifications than standard-efficiency motors. They are five to 10 percent more efficient on average than standard motors
in the smaller sizes (25 horsepower or less). Federal efficiency standards now require minimum efficiencies for electric
Motor Power Consumption Vs. Speed
for HVAC Fans and Pumps
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Rated RPM (%)
Power Consumption (%)
3
motors so the older motors in your facility are likely to be less efficient than the lowest efficiency motors of that size you
can buy now.1
Be sure to check with the manufacturer or your building engineer when installing energy-efficient motors on fan and
pump applications because some energy-efficient motors have higher speeds than standard motors. As discussed above,
increasing fan or pump speed can actually result in an increase in energy use. So, it’s important to specify that the new
motor has a full load speed no greater than that of the motor it’s replacing. The following table provides a comparison of
the efficiencies of standard- and high-efficiency motors, and examples of potential savings with high-efficiency motors.
Annual Energy Cost Savings With High-Efficiency ODP Motors
Motor Motor Efficiency (%)
Size
(Hp)
Standard-Efficiency
Motor
High-Efficiency
Motor
Annual Energy
Cost Savings
($/yr)
1 76.5 83.8 17.07
1.5 77.4 85.2 26.59
2 79.7 85.8 26.74
3 82.6 88.4 35.71
5 84.1 89.3 51.89
7.5 85.9 91.0 73.34
10 86.9 91.3 83.12
Source: Efficiencies: MotorMaster. Assumes 3500 hours per year of operation.
Properly size motors – Many motor systems are oversized, and a significantly oversized motor will run at low efficiency
increasing energy costs. An oversized motor also costs more to buy. The efficiency of most motors peaks around 75 to 80
percent of full load and drops off sharply below 40 to 50 percent of full load, although these ranges vary by design and
manufacturer.2 High-efficiency motors tend to maintain their efficiency over a wider range of loads than standard motors.
Motors loaded below 50 percent are almost
always attractive candidates for replacement.
However, because the relationship between
efficiency and load varies among different
types and sizes of motors, be sure to check
with the manufacturer or building engineer
before replacing an oversized motor.
Reduce the load – Often it’s possible to
reduce the load on a motor and save energy
by reducing pressure losses in pipe and duct
runs with low-pressure loss elbows and
fittings. Duct and pipe systems with lower
pressure losses (usually expressed as “static
pressure”) can often use a slower speed fan or
pump to deliver the same amount of flow. As
shown above, this can result in big savings.
Other ways to reduce the load on a motor
system include aligning the motor drive, and
replacing inefficient drivetrains such as belts, chains, and gears with direct drive systems.
1 The Energy Policy Act of 1992 went in to effect October 24, 1997 establishing minimum efficiency standards for motors of NEMA
design A and B, from 900 to 3600 rpm, between 1 and 200 horsepower.
2 Energy-Efficient Motor Systems, ACEEE, 1991.
Motor Efficiency vs. Load
74%
76%
78%
80%
82%
84%
86%
88%
90%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150
Percent Full Load
Efficiency
Standard efficiency 10 HP
4
Perform regular maintenance – For maximum performance and greatest energy efficiency, lubricate drivetrains
(bearings, chains and gears), keep drive belts at their proper tension, clean fan blades, check pump impeller blades for
wear, and replace air filters regularly. Most maintenance actions pay for themselves with longer lasting equipment and
less downtime even without the energy savings.
Should You Buy New or Rewind?
When you have a motor failure you’ll need to decide if you should buy a new motor or fix the old one. A common cause
of motor failure is problems with the motor windings, and the solution often is to rewind the old motor. Because it is
economical in terms of initial cost, rewinding of motors is very common particularly for motors of more than 10
horsepower. However, the motor rewinding process often results in a loss of motor efficiency. It is generally costeffective
to replace motors under 10 horsepower with new high-efficiency motors rather than rewind them. When
deciding whether to buy a new motor or rewind the old one, consider the cost difference between the rewind and a new
high-efficiency motor, and the potential increase in energy costs of a rewound motor that is less efficient than the original.
For More Information on Energy-efficient Motors
Contact the Web sites of the Association of Energy Engineers, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy Network (EREN), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Buildings Program.
The MotorMaster software package is a comprehensive, user-friendly motor selection and evaluation tool that is available
for download from the EREN website.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Energy savings tips
Energy savings tips
Wash clothes in cold water. You might guess that most of the energy used by a washing machine goes into
vigorously swishing the clothes around. In fact, about 90 percent of it is spent elsewhere, heating the water for
the load. You can save substantially by washing and rinsing at cooler temperatures. Warm water helps the suds to
get at the dirt, but cold-water detergents will work effectively for just about everything in the hamper.
1.
Hang it up. Clotheslines aren't just a bit of backyard nostalgia. They really work, given a stretch of decent
weather. You spare the energy a dryer would use, and your clothes will smell as fresh as all outdoors without the
perfumes in fabric softeners and dryer sheets. You'll also get more useful life out of clothes dried on indoor or
outdoor clotheslines--after all, dryer lint is nothing but your wardrobe in the process of wearing out.
2.
Don't overdry your laundry. Clothes will need less ironing and hold up better if you remove them from the dryer
while they're still just a bit damp. If you are in the market for a dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor; it will be
less likely than thermostat-equipped models to run too long.
3.
Let the dishwasher do the work. Don't bother prerinsing dishes with the idea that your dishwasher will work less
hard. Consumer Reports has found that this added step can waste 20 gallons of heated water a day. All you need
to do is scrape off leftover food. Enzyme-based detergents will help make sure the dishes emerge spotless.
4.
Put your PC to sleep. Keep your computer and its monitor in sleep mode rather than leaving them on around the
clock. You stand to use 80 percent less electricity, which over the course of a year could have the effect of
cutting CO2 emissions by up to 1,250 pounds, according to EPA estimates.
5.
Turn down the heat in the winter, and turn down the cool in the summer. Lower the thermostat 5° to 10° F when
you're sleeping or are out of the house. "A 10° decrease can cut your heating bill by as much as 20 percent,"
says Jim Nanni, manager of the appliance and home-improvement testing department of Consumer Reports. And
before you put on a cotton sweater to ward off a slight chill from the AC in summer, consider that for every degree
you raise the thermostat setting, you can expect to cut your cooling costs by at least 3 percent.
6.
A cold hearth for a warmer house. A conventional fireplace draws a small gale out of the room and sends it up
the chimney. Assuming the indoor air has been warmed by your central heating system, that means your energy
dollars are going up the chimney, too. Instead, consider a direct-vent, sealed-combustion gas fireplace. Consumer
Reports has found that those units have an energy efficiency of about 70 percent--and the sight of the flames is a
lot more warming than staring at a radiator.
7.
Lower the shades and raise the windows. Not at the same time, of course, but your windows and shades are
great tools to help moderate temperatures in the home. Because of central air conditioning, we tend to forget
these time-tested, traditional ways of making the house comfortable. Shades are particularly helpful in blocking the
sun from west-facing rooms in the afternoon. At night, if the forecast calls for cooler temperatures and low
humidity, give the AC a rest. Open windows upstairs and down, and use window fans or a whole-house fan.
8.
Put a spin on 9. home cooling. You can operate a couple of fans with a fraction of the electricity needed for air
ConsumerReports.org - 20 free ways to save energy http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/news/20-free-ways-to...
2 of 3 8/26/08 1:00 PM
conditioning, and their cooling effect may make it possible to cut back on AC use.
Take care of your air conditioner, and it will take care of you. Your air conditioner will run more efficiently if you
clean or replace its filter every other week during heaviest use. Keep leaves and other debris away from the
central air's exterior condenser, and keep the condenser coils clean.
10.
Spend less for hot water. Set the hot water heater at 120° F (or the "low" setting), which is hot enough for most
needs. If the tank feels warm to the touch, consider wrapping it with conventional insulation or a blanket made for
that purpose. To help conserve the water's heat on its way to the faucets, insulate the plumbing with pipe sleeves;
with these, you can raise the end-use temperature by 2° to 4° F.
11.
Think twice before turning on the oven. Heating food in the microwave uses only 20 percent of the energy
required by a full-sized oven. And while the second-hand heat from the oven may be welcome in winter, it can put
an added load on your air conditioner in warmer months.
12.
Use the right pan. When cooking on the stovetop, pick your pan, then put it on an element or burner that's
roughly the same size. You'll use much less energy than you would with a mismatched burner and pan. Steam
foods instead of boiling. If you do boil, be sure to put a lid on the pot to make the water come to a boil faster.
13.
Read the label. The EnergyGuide label, that is. When you shop for a new appliance, look for the label that gives
an estimate of annual energy consumption. To help you make sense of that statistic, the label also states the
highest and lowest figures for similar models.
14.
Dust off the Crock-15. Pot. Slow cooking in a Crock-Pot uses a lot less energy than simmering on the stove.
Clean the coils on your refrigerator using a tapered appliance brush. Your fridge's motor won't have to run as
long or as often. In addition to saving energy dollars, you'll prolong the life of the appliance.
16.
Drive steadily--and a bit slower. Hard acceleration and abrupt braking will use more fuel than if you start and
slow more moderately. Keeping down your overall speed matters, too, because aerodynamic drag increases
dramatically as you drive faster. If you travel at 65 mph instead of 55, you are penalized by lowering your mileage
12.5 percent. If you get your vehicle up to 75 mph, you're losing 25 percent compared with mileage at 55 mph.
17.
Roof racks are a drag. Most cars are reasonably streamlined, but you work against their slipperiness if you carry
things on the roof. A loaded roof rack can decrease an SUV's fuel efficiency by 5 percent, and that of a more
aerodynamic car by 15 percent or more. Even driving with empty ski racks wastes gas.
18.
Stick with regular. If your car's manufacturer specifies regular gas, don't buy premium with the thought of going
faster or operating more efficiently. You'd be spending more with no benefit. Most cars have built-in sensors that
adjust the engine timing to the gas in the tank. Even if the owner's manual recommends high-octane gas, ask the
dealership about switching to regular.
19.
No loitering. Don't let the engine run at idle any longer than necessary. After starting the car in the morning, begin
driving right away; don't let it sit and "warm up" for several minutes. An engine actually warms up faster while
driving. With most gasoline engines, it's more efficient to turn off the engine than to idle longer than 30 seconds.
20.
And if you don't mind spending a few dollars:
A tighter home is a toastier home. Insulation is your home's first line of defense against the weather, right?
Wrong. Before you bulk up with fiberglass blankets, seal the leaks. Inexpensive foam strips and caulking can cut
your heating and cooling bills by 5 to 30 percent.
1.
Try do-it-yourself low-E windows. If your windows don't have a low-E coating, consider applying a self-adhesive
film on the glass. This treatment is a lot cheaper than replacing the units, and better-quality films are quite
durable.
2.
Use a programmable thermostat. Roughly half of the typical home's energy bill goes for heating and cooling,
according to the Department of Energy. The easiest way to save, short of sweating or shivering, is to use
programmable thermostats. They can pay for themselves in about a year.
3.
Switch to those funny-looking fluorescents. You may not be familiar with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), but
give them a try. A single bulb can save from $25 to $45 over its life. And it's a long life: Manufacturers claim that
CFLs last between 5 and 13 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs or better LED.
Wash clothes in cold water. You might guess that most of the energy used by a washing machine goes into
vigorously swishing the clothes around. In fact, about 90 percent of it is spent elsewhere, heating the water for
the load. You can save substantially by washing and rinsing at cooler temperatures. Warm water helps the suds to
get at the dirt, but cold-water detergents will work effectively for just about everything in the hamper.
1.
Hang it up. Clotheslines aren't just a bit of backyard nostalgia. They really work, given a stretch of decent
weather. You spare the energy a dryer would use, and your clothes will smell as fresh as all outdoors without the
perfumes in fabric softeners and dryer sheets. You'll also get more useful life out of clothes dried on indoor or
outdoor clotheslines--after all, dryer lint is nothing but your wardrobe in the process of wearing out.
2.
Don't overdry your laundry. Clothes will need less ironing and hold up better if you remove them from the dryer
while they're still just a bit damp. If you are in the market for a dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor; it will be
less likely than thermostat-equipped models to run too long.
3.
Let the dishwasher do the work. Don't bother prerinsing dishes with the idea that your dishwasher will work less
hard. Consumer Reports has found that this added step can waste 20 gallons of heated water a day. All you need
to do is scrape off leftover food. Enzyme-based detergents will help make sure the dishes emerge spotless.
4.
Put your PC to sleep. Keep your computer and its monitor in sleep mode rather than leaving them on around the
clock. You stand to use 80 percent less electricity, which over the course of a year could have the effect of
cutting CO2 emissions by up to 1,250 pounds, according to EPA estimates.
5.
Turn down the heat in the winter, and turn down the cool in the summer. Lower the thermostat 5° to 10° F when
you're sleeping or are out of the house. "A 10° decrease can cut your heating bill by as much as 20 percent,"
says Jim Nanni, manager of the appliance and home-improvement testing department of Consumer Reports. And
before you put on a cotton sweater to ward off a slight chill from the AC in summer, consider that for every degree
you raise the thermostat setting, you can expect to cut your cooling costs by at least 3 percent.
6.
A cold hearth for a warmer house. A conventional fireplace draws a small gale out of the room and sends it up
the chimney. Assuming the indoor air has been warmed by your central heating system, that means your energy
dollars are going up the chimney, too. Instead, consider a direct-vent, sealed-combustion gas fireplace. Consumer
Reports has found that those units have an energy efficiency of about 70 percent--and the sight of the flames is a
lot more warming than staring at a radiator.
7.
Lower the shades and raise the windows. Not at the same time, of course, but your windows and shades are
great tools to help moderate temperatures in the home. Because of central air conditioning, we tend to forget
these time-tested, traditional ways of making the house comfortable. Shades are particularly helpful in blocking the
sun from west-facing rooms in the afternoon. At night, if the forecast calls for cooler temperatures and low
humidity, give the AC a rest. Open windows upstairs and down, and use window fans or a whole-house fan.
8.
Put a spin on 9. home cooling. You can operate a couple of fans with a fraction of the electricity needed for air
ConsumerReports.org - 20 free ways to save energy http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/news/20-free-ways-to...
2 of 3 8/26/08 1:00 PM
conditioning, and their cooling effect may make it possible to cut back on AC use.
Take care of your air conditioner, and it will take care of you. Your air conditioner will run more efficiently if you
clean or replace its filter every other week during heaviest use. Keep leaves and other debris away from the
central air's exterior condenser, and keep the condenser coils clean.
10.
Spend less for hot water. Set the hot water heater at 120° F (or the "low" setting), which is hot enough for most
needs. If the tank feels warm to the touch, consider wrapping it with conventional insulation or a blanket made for
that purpose. To help conserve the water's heat on its way to the faucets, insulate the plumbing with pipe sleeves;
with these, you can raise the end-use temperature by 2° to 4° F.
11.
Think twice before turning on the oven. Heating food in the microwave uses only 20 percent of the energy
required by a full-sized oven. And while the second-hand heat from the oven may be welcome in winter, it can put
an added load on your air conditioner in warmer months.
12.
Use the right pan. When cooking on the stovetop, pick your pan, then put it on an element or burner that's
roughly the same size. You'll use much less energy than you would with a mismatched burner and pan. Steam
foods instead of boiling. If you do boil, be sure to put a lid on the pot to make the water come to a boil faster.
13.
Read the label. The EnergyGuide label, that is. When you shop for a new appliance, look for the label that gives
an estimate of annual energy consumption. To help you make sense of that statistic, the label also states the
highest and lowest figures for similar models.
14.
Dust off the Crock-15. Pot. Slow cooking in a Crock-Pot uses a lot less energy than simmering on the stove.
Clean the coils on your refrigerator using a tapered appliance brush. Your fridge's motor won't have to run as
long or as often. In addition to saving energy dollars, you'll prolong the life of the appliance.
16.
Drive steadily--and a bit slower. Hard acceleration and abrupt braking will use more fuel than if you start and
slow more moderately. Keeping down your overall speed matters, too, because aerodynamic drag increases
dramatically as you drive faster. If you travel at 65 mph instead of 55, you are penalized by lowering your mileage
12.5 percent. If you get your vehicle up to 75 mph, you're losing 25 percent compared with mileage at 55 mph.
17.
Roof racks are a drag. Most cars are reasonably streamlined, but you work against their slipperiness if you carry
things on the roof. A loaded roof rack can decrease an SUV's fuel efficiency by 5 percent, and that of a more
aerodynamic car by 15 percent or more. Even driving with empty ski racks wastes gas.
18.
Stick with regular. If your car's manufacturer specifies regular gas, don't buy premium with the thought of going
faster or operating more efficiently. You'd be spending more with no benefit. Most cars have built-in sensors that
adjust the engine timing to the gas in the tank. Even if the owner's manual recommends high-octane gas, ask the
dealership about switching to regular.
19.
No loitering. Don't let the engine run at idle any longer than necessary. After starting the car in the morning, begin
driving right away; don't let it sit and "warm up" for several minutes. An engine actually warms up faster while
driving. With most gasoline engines, it's more efficient to turn off the engine than to idle longer than 30 seconds.
20.
And if you don't mind spending a few dollars:
A tighter home is a toastier home. Insulation is your home's first line of defense against the weather, right?
Wrong. Before you bulk up with fiberglass blankets, seal the leaks. Inexpensive foam strips and caulking can cut
your heating and cooling bills by 5 to 30 percent.
1.
Try do-it-yourself low-E windows. If your windows don't have a low-E coating, consider applying a self-adhesive
film on the glass. This treatment is a lot cheaper than replacing the units, and better-quality films are quite
durable.
2.
Use a programmable thermostat. Roughly half of the typical home's energy bill goes for heating and cooling,
according to the Department of Energy. The easiest way to save, short of sweating or shivering, is to use
programmable thermostats. They can pay for themselves in about a year.
3.
Switch to those funny-looking fluorescents. You may not be familiar with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), but
give them a try. A single bulb can save from $25 to $45 over its life. And it's a long life: Manufacturers claim that
CFLs last between 5 and 13 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs or better LED.
101 Ways You Can Save Energy at Home
101 Ways You Can Save Energy at Home
Water Heating
1. Set water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. For households with one or two members, a 115-degree Fahrenheit setting may work fine.
3. Install water-heater wrap per manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Drain 1-2 gallons from bottom of water heater each year to reduce sediment buildup.
5. Install heat traps on hot and cold water lines when it’s time to replace your water heater.
6. Insulate exposed hot water lines.
7. Limit shower length to 5-7 minutes.
8. Install low-flow showerheads.
9. Fix dripping faucets.
10. Don’t let water run while you are shaving.
11. Don’t let water run while brushing your teeth.
Laundry
12. Wash clothes in cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty loads.
13. Do only full laundry loads.
14. If you must do smaller loads, adjust the water level in the washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water.
15. Always use cold-water rinse.
16. Use bath towels at least twice before washing them.
17. Clean your dryer’s lint trap before each load.
18. Make sure the outdoor dryer exhaust door closes when the dryer is off.
19. Verify that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to inside wall fitting.
20. Check that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to dryer.
21. Make sure dryer vent hose is not kinked or clogged.
22. Minimize clothes drying time; use moisture sensor on dryer if available.
23. Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load.
24. Consider using a “solar-powered” clothes dryer — an old-fashioned clothesline.
Kitchen
25. Use your refrigerator’s anti-sweat feature only if necessary.
26. Switch your refrigerator’s power-saver to “ON,” if available.
27. Clean refrigerator coils annually.
28. Set the refrigerator temperature to 34- 37 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer temperature to 0-5 degrees Fahrenheit.
29. Ensure that gaskets around door seal tightly.
30. Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers.
31. Use microwave for cooking when possible.
32. When cooking on the oven range, use pot lids to help food cook faster.
33. If you are heating water, use hot tap water instead of cold.
34. Remember to use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking and turn it off after cooking.
35. Use a Crock-Pot™ instead of simmering foods on the stove.
36. Rinse dirty dishes with cold water before putting them into the dishwasher.
37. Use cold water for garbage disposal.
38. Run dishwasher only when fully loaded.
39. Use air-dry cycle instead of heat-dry cycle to dry dishes.
Lighting
40. Replace any lightbulb that burns more than one hour per day with its equivalent compact fluorescent bulb.
41. Turn off unnecessary lighting.
42. Replace outdoor lighting with its outdoor-rated equivalent compact fluorescent bulb.
43. Use fixtures with electronic ballasts and T-8, 32-watt fluorescent lamps.
44. Use outdoor security lights with a photocell and/or a motion sensor.
Miscellaneous
45. Turn computers and monitors off when not in use.
46. Make sure electric blankets are turned off in the morning.
47. Turn waterbed heater off when not needed.
48. Turn large-screen TVs off completely when not in use.
49. Turn off stereos and radios when not in use.
50. Remember to turn off hair curling irons and hot rollers.
51. Turn off coffee makers when not in use.
52. Turn off pool pump and/or heater when not needed.
53. Verify livestock water tank heaters are off when not needed.
54. Make sure heat tape is off when not needed.
55. Unplug battery chargers when not needed.
56. Ensure all new appliances purchased are ENERGY STAR approved.
Heating & Air Conditioning
57. Set thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, 68 degrees Fahrenheit in winter.
58. Run ceiling paddle fans on medium, blowing downward in summer.
59. Run ceiling paddle fans on low, blowing upward in winter.
60. Change HVAC filters monthly.
61. When installing new air filters, make sure they are facing in the correct direction (look for arrow on side of filter).
62. When heating or cooling, keep windows locked.
63. Insulate electric wall plugs and wall switches with foam pads.
64. Caulk along baseboards with a clear sealant.
65. Close fireplace dampers when not burning a fire.
66. Caulk around plumbing penetrations that come through walls beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks.
67. Caulk electrical wire penetrations at the top of the interior walls.
68. Close shades and drapes at night to keep heat in during the winter.
69. Make sure drapes and shades are open during the day to catch free solar heat in winter.
70. Close shades and drapes during the day to help keep heat out in summer.
71. Ensure that the attic access door closes tightly.
72. Insulate the attic access door.
73. Make sure insulation in your attic does not block soffit vents.
74. Do not close off unused rooms that are conditioned by forced-air systems.
75. Do not close supply air registers.
76. Check to be sure return-air grilles are not blocked by furniture or bookcases.
77. Ensure that windows and doors are properly weather-stripped.
78. Make sure outside soffit vents are not blocked.
79. Do not use rooftop power ventilators for attic exhaust as they may evacuate conditioned air from your home.
80. Have your HVAC system serviced once per year by a NATE-certified technician.
81. Monitor your home’s relative humidity in the summer. If it consistently stays in the 60 percent range or higher, ask your HVAC technician about lowering your central air conditioning unit’s indoor fan speed.
82. Ensure that window A/C units are weather-stripped.
83. Ensure that windows with window-mounted A/C units have weather stripping between the middle of the top and bottom panes.
84. Remove and clean window A/C filter monthly.
85. Keep “fresh-air” vents on window A/C units closed.
86. Use heavy-duty, clear sheets of plastic on the inside of windows to reduce the amount of cold air entering your home.
87. Minimize use of electric space heaters.
88. Ensure that your outdoor heat pump/air conditioning unit is kept clean and free of debris.
89. When using the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening the damper in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly.
90. In a basement, seal the sill and band joist with durable caulking or foam sealant.
91. Ensure that floor registers are not blocked with rugs, drapes or furniture.
92. Outside your home, caulk around all penetrations including telephone, electrical, cable, gas, water spigots, dryer vents, etc.
93. Caulk around storm windows.
94. Caulk around basement windows.
95. Verify that your supply air duct “boots” (behind supply air registers) are caulked to your ceiling or wall sheetrock or flooring.
96. In unconditioned spaces, verify that your ducts are tightly connected to your HVAC equipment.
97. Verify that all outdoor doors (including storm doors) close and seal tightly.
98. In two-story homes serviced by one HVAC system, a paddle fan at the top of the stairs can push down hot, second-floor air.
99. Install 15-minute, spring-wound timers on bathroom ventilator fans.
100. Always run your HVAC system fan on “AUTO.” Running it on “ON” uses more electricity and can decrease your air conditioner’s ability to remove moisture.
101. Keep your garage door down. A warmer garage in the winter and cooler garage in the summer will save energy.
Water Heating
1. Set water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. For households with one or two members, a 115-degree Fahrenheit setting may work fine.
3. Install water-heater wrap per manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Drain 1-2 gallons from bottom of water heater each year to reduce sediment buildup.
5. Install heat traps on hot and cold water lines when it’s time to replace your water heater.
6. Insulate exposed hot water lines.
7. Limit shower length to 5-7 minutes.
8. Install low-flow showerheads.
9. Fix dripping faucets.
10. Don’t let water run while you are shaving.
11. Don’t let water run while brushing your teeth.
Laundry
12. Wash clothes in cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty loads.
13. Do only full laundry loads.
14. If you must do smaller loads, adjust the water level in the washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water.
15. Always use cold-water rinse.
16. Use bath towels at least twice before washing them.
17. Clean your dryer’s lint trap before each load.
18. Make sure the outdoor dryer exhaust door closes when the dryer is off.
19. Verify that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to inside wall fitting.
20. Check that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to dryer.
21. Make sure dryer vent hose is not kinked or clogged.
22. Minimize clothes drying time; use moisture sensor on dryer if available.
23. Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load.
24. Consider using a “solar-powered” clothes dryer — an old-fashioned clothesline.
Kitchen
25. Use your refrigerator’s anti-sweat feature only if necessary.
26. Switch your refrigerator’s power-saver to “ON,” if available.
27. Clean refrigerator coils annually.
28. Set the refrigerator temperature to 34- 37 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer temperature to 0-5 degrees Fahrenheit.
29. Ensure that gaskets around door seal tightly.
30. Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers.
31. Use microwave for cooking when possible.
32. When cooking on the oven range, use pot lids to help food cook faster.
33. If you are heating water, use hot tap water instead of cold.
34. Remember to use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking and turn it off after cooking.
35. Use a Crock-Pot™ instead of simmering foods on the stove.
36. Rinse dirty dishes with cold water before putting them into the dishwasher.
37. Use cold water for garbage disposal.
38. Run dishwasher only when fully loaded.
39. Use air-dry cycle instead of heat-dry cycle to dry dishes.
Lighting
40. Replace any lightbulb that burns more than one hour per day with its equivalent compact fluorescent bulb.
41. Turn off unnecessary lighting.
42. Replace outdoor lighting with its outdoor-rated equivalent compact fluorescent bulb.
43. Use fixtures with electronic ballasts and T-8, 32-watt fluorescent lamps.
44. Use outdoor security lights with a photocell and/or a motion sensor.
Miscellaneous
45. Turn computers and monitors off when not in use.
46. Make sure electric blankets are turned off in the morning.
47. Turn waterbed heater off when not needed.
48. Turn large-screen TVs off completely when not in use.
49. Turn off stereos and radios when not in use.
50. Remember to turn off hair curling irons and hot rollers.
51. Turn off coffee makers when not in use.
52. Turn off pool pump and/or heater when not needed.
53. Verify livestock water tank heaters are off when not needed.
54. Make sure heat tape is off when not needed.
55. Unplug battery chargers when not needed.
56. Ensure all new appliances purchased are ENERGY STAR approved.
Heating & Air Conditioning
57. Set thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, 68 degrees Fahrenheit in winter.
58. Run ceiling paddle fans on medium, blowing downward in summer.
59. Run ceiling paddle fans on low, blowing upward in winter.
60. Change HVAC filters monthly.
61. When installing new air filters, make sure they are facing in the correct direction (look for arrow on side of filter).
62. When heating or cooling, keep windows locked.
63. Insulate electric wall plugs and wall switches with foam pads.
64. Caulk along baseboards with a clear sealant.
65. Close fireplace dampers when not burning a fire.
66. Caulk around plumbing penetrations that come through walls beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks.
67. Caulk electrical wire penetrations at the top of the interior walls.
68. Close shades and drapes at night to keep heat in during the winter.
69. Make sure drapes and shades are open during the day to catch free solar heat in winter.
70. Close shades and drapes during the day to help keep heat out in summer.
71. Ensure that the attic access door closes tightly.
72. Insulate the attic access door.
73. Make sure insulation in your attic does not block soffit vents.
74. Do not close off unused rooms that are conditioned by forced-air systems.
75. Do not close supply air registers.
76. Check to be sure return-air grilles are not blocked by furniture or bookcases.
77. Ensure that windows and doors are properly weather-stripped.
78. Make sure outside soffit vents are not blocked.
79. Do not use rooftop power ventilators for attic exhaust as they may evacuate conditioned air from your home.
80. Have your HVAC system serviced once per year by a NATE-certified technician.
81. Monitor your home’s relative humidity in the summer. If it consistently stays in the 60 percent range or higher, ask your HVAC technician about lowering your central air conditioning unit’s indoor fan speed.
82. Ensure that window A/C units are weather-stripped.
83. Ensure that windows with window-mounted A/C units have weather stripping between the middle of the top and bottom panes.
84. Remove and clean window A/C filter monthly.
85. Keep “fresh-air” vents on window A/C units closed.
86. Use heavy-duty, clear sheets of plastic on the inside of windows to reduce the amount of cold air entering your home.
87. Minimize use of electric space heaters.
88. Ensure that your outdoor heat pump/air conditioning unit is kept clean and free of debris.
89. When using the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening the damper in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly.
90. In a basement, seal the sill and band joist with durable caulking or foam sealant.
91. Ensure that floor registers are not blocked with rugs, drapes or furniture.
92. Outside your home, caulk around all penetrations including telephone, electrical, cable, gas, water spigots, dryer vents, etc.
93. Caulk around storm windows.
94. Caulk around basement windows.
95. Verify that your supply air duct “boots” (behind supply air registers) are caulked to your ceiling or wall sheetrock or flooring.
96. In unconditioned spaces, verify that your ducts are tightly connected to your HVAC equipment.
97. Verify that all outdoor doors (including storm doors) close and seal tightly.
98. In two-story homes serviced by one HVAC system, a paddle fan at the top of the stairs can push down hot, second-floor air.
99. Install 15-minute, spring-wound timers on bathroom ventilator fans.
100. Always run your HVAC system fan on “AUTO.” Running it on “ON” uses more electricity and can decrease your air conditioner’s ability to remove moisture.
101. Keep your garage door down. A warmer garage in the winter and cooler garage in the summer will save energy.
50 Ways to Conserve Energy
50 Ways to Conserve Energy
Here is a list of 50 simple things that everyone can do in order to fight against and reduce the Global Warming phenomenon: some of them are at no cost, some other require a little investment but can help you save a lot of money.
Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl)
■CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
■Install a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the heat or air conditioning at night and raise them again in the morning. They can save you $100 a year on your energy bill.
■Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer
Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has more tips for saving energy on heating and cooling.
■Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner
Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
■Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases
Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances to choose the most efficient models available.
■Do not leave appliances on standby
Use the “on/off” function on the machine itself. A TV set that’s switched on for 3 hours a day (the average time Europeans spend watching TV) and in standby mode during the remaining 21 hours uses about 40% of its energy in standby mode.
■Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
You’ll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action. You can save another 550 pounds per year by setting the thermostat no higher than 50°C.
■Move your fridge and freezer
Placing them next to the cooker or boiler consumes much more energy than if they were standing on their own. For example, if you put them in a hot cellar room where the room temperature is 30-35ºC, energy use is almost double and causes an extra 160kg of CO2 emissions for fridges per year and 320kg for freezers.
■Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly
Even better is to replace them with newer models, which all have automatic defrost cycles and are generally up to two times more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
■Don’t let heat escape from your house over a long period
When airing your house, open the windows for only a few minutes. If you leave a small opening all day long, the energy needed to keep it warm inside during six cold months (10ºC or less outside temperature) would result in almost 1 ton of CO2 emissions.
■Replace your old single-glazed windows with double-glazing
This requires a bit of upfront investment, but will halve the energy lost through windows and pay off in the long term. If you go for the best the market has to offer (wooden-framed double-glazed units with low-emission glass and filled with argon gas), you can even save more than 70% of the energy lost.
■Get a home energy audit
Many utilities offer free home energy audits to find where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient. You can save up to 30% off your energy bill and 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Energy Star can help you find an energy specialist.
■Cover your pots while cooking
Doing so can save a lot of the energy needed for preparing the dish. Even better are pressure cookers and steamers: they can save around 70%!
■Use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full
If you need to use it when it is half full, then use the half-load or economy setting. There is also no need to set the temperatures high. Nowadays detergents are so efficient that they get your clothes and dishes clean at low temperatures.
■Take a shower instead of a bath
A shower takes up to four times less energy than a bath. To maximise the energy saving, avoid power showers and use low-flow showerheads, which are cheap and provide the same comfort.
■Use less hot water
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot.
■Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible
You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year.
■Insulate and weatherize your home
Properly insulating your walls and ceilings can save 25% of your home heating bill and 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Caulking and weather-stripping can save another 1,700 pounds per year. Energy Efficient has more information on how to better insulate your home.
■Be sure you’re recycling at home
You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by recycling half of the waste your household generates. Earth 911 can help you find recycling resources in your area.
■Recycle your organic waste
Around 3% of the greenhouse gas emissions through the methane is released by decomposing bio-degradable waste. By recycling organic waste or composting it if you have a garden, you can help eliminate this problem! Just make sure that you compost it properly, so it decomposes with sufficient oxygen, otherwise your compost will cause methane emissions and smell foul.
■Buy intelligently
One bottle of 1.5l requires less energy and produces less waste than three bottles of 0.5l. As well, buy recycled paper products: it takes less 70 to 90% less energy to make recycled paper and it prevents the loss of forests worldwide.
■Choose products that come with little packaging and buy refills when you can
You will also cut down on waste production and energy use!
■Reuse your shopping bag
When shopping, it saves energy and waste to use a reusable bag instead of accepting a disposable one in each shop. Waste not only discharges CO2 and methane into the atmosphere, it can also pollute the air, groundwater and soil.
■Reduce waste
Most products we buy cause greenhouse gas emissions in one or another way, e.g. during production and distribution. By taking your lunch in a reusable lunch box instead of a disposable one, you save the energy needed to produce new lunch boxes.
■Plant a tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership.
■Switch to green power
In many areas, you can switch to energy generated by clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. The Green Power Network is a good place to start to figure out what’s available in your area.
■Buy locally grown and produced foods
The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community.
■Buy fresh foods instead of frozen
Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce.
■Seek out and support local farmers markets
They reduce the amount of energy required to grow and transport the food to you by one fifth. You can find a farmer’s market in your area at the USDA website.
■Buy organic foods as much as possible
Organic soils capture and store carbon dioxide at much higher levels than soils from conventional farms. If we grew all of our corn and soybeans organically, we’d remove 580 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere!
■Eat less meat
Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath.
■Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever possible
Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! Look for transit options in your area.
■Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates
Sharing a ride with someone just 2 days a week will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds a year. eRideShare.com runs a free national service connecting commuters and travelers.
■Don’t leave an empty roof rack on your car
This can increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10% due to wind resistance and the extra weight – removing it is a better idea.
■Keep your car tuned up
Regular maintenance helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. When just 1% of car owners properly maintain their cars, nearly a billion pounds of carbon dioxide are kept out of the atmosphere.
■Drive carefully and do not waste fuel
You can reduce CO2 emissions by readjusting your driving style. Choose proper gears, do not abuse the gas pedal, use the engine brake instead of the pedal brake when possible and turn off your engine when your vehicle is motionless for more than one minute. By readjusting your driving style you can save money on both fuel and car mantainance.
■Check your tires weekly to make sure they’re properly inflated
Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Since every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, every increase in fuel efficiency makes a difference!
■When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle
You can save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your current one. You can get up to 60 miles per gallon with a hybrid! You can find information on fuel efficiency on FuelEconomy and on GreenCars websites.
■Try car sharing
Need a car but don’t want to buy one? Community car sharing organizations provide access to a car and your membership fee covers gas, maintenance and insurance. Many companies – such as Flexcar – offer low emission or hybrid cars too! Also, see ZipCar.
■Try telecommuting from home
Telecommuting can help you drastically reduce the number of miles you drive every week. For more information, check out the Telework Coalition.
■Fly less
Air travel produces large amounts of emissions so reducing how much you fly by even one or two trips a year can reduce your emissions significantly. You can also offset your air travel by investing in renewable energy projects.
■Encourage your school or business to reduce emissions
You can extend your positive influence on global warming well beyond your home by actively encouraging other to take action.
■Join the virtual march
The Stop Global Warming Virtual March is a non-political effort to bring people concerned about global warming together in one place. Add your voice to the hundreds of thousands of other people urging action on this issue.
■Encourage the switch to renewable energy
Successfully combating global warming requires a national transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. These technologies are ready to be deployed more widely but there are regulatory barriers impeding them. Take action to break down those barriers with Vote Solar.
■Protect and conserve forest worldwide
Forests play a critial role in global warming: they store carbon. When forests are burned or cut down, their stored carbon is release into the atmosphere – deforestation now accounts for about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Conservation International has more information on forests and global warming.
■Consider the impact of your investments
If you invest your money, you should consider the impact that your investments and savings will have on global warming. Check out SocialInvest and Ceres to can learn more about how to ensure your money is being invested in companies, products and projects that address issues related to climate change.
■Make your city cool
Cities and states around the country have taken action to stop global warming by passing innovative transportation and energy saving legislation. 194 cities nationwide representing over 40 million people have made this pledge as part of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Find out how to make your city a cool city.
■Tell Congress to act
The McCain Lieberman Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act would set a firm limit on carbon dioxide emissions and then use free market incentives to lower costs, promote efficiency and spur innovation. Tell your representative to support it.
■Make sure your voice is heard!
Americans must have a stronger commitment from their government in order to stop global warming and implement solutions and such a commitment won’t come without a dramatic increase in citizen lobbying for new laws with teeth. Get the facts about U.S. politicians and candidates at Project Vote Smart and The League of Conservation Voters. Make sure your voice is heard by voting!
Here is a list of 50 simple things that everyone can do in order to fight against and reduce the Global Warming phenomenon: some of them are at no cost, some other require a little investment but can help you save a lot of money.
Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl)
■CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
■Install a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the heat or air conditioning at night and raise them again in the morning. They can save you $100 a year on your energy bill.
■Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer
Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has more tips for saving energy on heating and cooling.
■Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner
Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
■Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases
Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances to choose the most efficient models available.
■Do not leave appliances on standby
Use the “on/off” function on the machine itself. A TV set that’s switched on for 3 hours a day (the average time Europeans spend watching TV) and in standby mode during the remaining 21 hours uses about 40% of its energy in standby mode.
■Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
You’ll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action. You can save another 550 pounds per year by setting the thermostat no higher than 50°C.
■Move your fridge and freezer
Placing them next to the cooker or boiler consumes much more energy than if they were standing on their own. For example, if you put them in a hot cellar room where the room temperature is 30-35ºC, energy use is almost double and causes an extra 160kg of CO2 emissions for fridges per year and 320kg for freezers.
■Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly
Even better is to replace them with newer models, which all have automatic defrost cycles and are generally up to two times more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
■Don’t let heat escape from your house over a long period
When airing your house, open the windows for only a few minutes. If you leave a small opening all day long, the energy needed to keep it warm inside during six cold months (10ºC or less outside temperature) would result in almost 1 ton of CO2 emissions.
■Replace your old single-glazed windows with double-glazing
This requires a bit of upfront investment, but will halve the energy lost through windows and pay off in the long term. If you go for the best the market has to offer (wooden-framed double-glazed units with low-emission glass and filled with argon gas), you can even save more than 70% of the energy lost.
■Get a home energy audit
Many utilities offer free home energy audits to find where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient. You can save up to 30% off your energy bill and 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Energy Star can help you find an energy specialist.
■Cover your pots while cooking
Doing so can save a lot of the energy needed for preparing the dish. Even better are pressure cookers and steamers: they can save around 70%!
■Use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full
If you need to use it when it is half full, then use the half-load or economy setting. There is also no need to set the temperatures high. Nowadays detergents are so efficient that they get your clothes and dishes clean at low temperatures.
■Take a shower instead of a bath
A shower takes up to four times less energy than a bath. To maximise the energy saving, avoid power showers and use low-flow showerheads, which are cheap and provide the same comfort.
■Use less hot water
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot.
■Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible
You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year.
■Insulate and weatherize your home
Properly insulating your walls and ceilings can save 25% of your home heating bill and 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Caulking and weather-stripping can save another 1,700 pounds per year. Energy Efficient has more information on how to better insulate your home.
■Be sure you’re recycling at home
You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by recycling half of the waste your household generates. Earth 911 can help you find recycling resources in your area.
■Recycle your organic waste
Around 3% of the greenhouse gas emissions through the methane is released by decomposing bio-degradable waste. By recycling organic waste or composting it if you have a garden, you can help eliminate this problem! Just make sure that you compost it properly, so it decomposes with sufficient oxygen, otherwise your compost will cause methane emissions and smell foul.
■Buy intelligently
One bottle of 1.5l requires less energy and produces less waste than three bottles of 0.5l. As well, buy recycled paper products: it takes less 70 to 90% less energy to make recycled paper and it prevents the loss of forests worldwide.
■Choose products that come with little packaging and buy refills when you can
You will also cut down on waste production and energy use!
■Reuse your shopping bag
When shopping, it saves energy and waste to use a reusable bag instead of accepting a disposable one in each shop. Waste not only discharges CO2 and methane into the atmosphere, it can also pollute the air, groundwater and soil.
■Reduce waste
Most products we buy cause greenhouse gas emissions in one or another way, e.g. during production and distribution. By taking your lunch in a reusable lunch box instead of a disposable one, you save the energy needed to produce new lunch boxes.
■Plant a tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership.
■Switch to green power
In many areas, you can switch to energy generated by clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. The Green Power Network is a good place to start to figure out what’s available in your area.
■Buy locally grown and produced foods
The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community.
■Buy fresh foods instead of frozen
Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce.
■Seek out and support local farmers markets
They reduce the amount of energy required to grow and transport the food to you by one fifth. You can find a farmer’s market in your area at the USDA website.
■Buy organic foods as much as possible
Organic soils capture and store carbon dioxide at much higher levels than soils from conventional farms. If we grew all of our corn and soybeans organically, we’d remove 580 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere!
■Eat less meat
Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath.
■Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever possible
Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! Look for transit options in your area.
■Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates
Sharing a ride with someone just 2 days a week will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds a year. eRideShare.com runs a free national service connecting commuters and travelers.
■Don’t leave an empty roof rack on your car
This can increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10% due to wind resistance and the extra weight – removing it is a better idea.
■Keep your car tuned up
Regular maintenance helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. When just 1% of car owners properly maintain their cars, nearly a billion pounds of carbon dioxide are kept out of the atmosphere.
■Drive carefully and do not waste fuel
You can reduce CO2 emissions by readjusting your driving style. Choose proper gears, do not abuse the gas pedal, use the engine brake instead of the pedal brake when possible and turn off your engine when your vehicle is motionless for more than one minute. By readjusting your driving style you can save money on both fuel and car mantainance.
■Check your tires weekly to make sure they’re properly inflated
Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Since every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, every increase in fuel efficiency makes a difference!
■When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle
You can save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your current one. You can get up to 60 miles per gallon with a hybrid! You can find information on fuel efficiency on FuelEconomy and on GreenCars websites.
■Try car sharing
Need a car but don’t want to buy one? Community car sharing organizations provide access to a car and your membership fee covers gas, maintenance and insurance. Many companies – such as Flexcar – offer low emission or hybrid cars too! Also, see ZipCar.
■Try telecommuting from home
Telecommuting can help you drastically reduce the number of miles you drive every week. For more information, check out the Telework Coalition.
■Fly less
Air travel produces large amounts of emissions so reducing how much you fly by even one or two trips a year can reduce your emissions significantly. You can also offset your air travel by investing in renewable energy projects.
■Encourage your school or business to reduce emissions
You can extend your positive influence on global warming well beyond your home by actively encouraging other to take action.
■Join the virtual march
The Stop Global Warming Virtual March is a non-political effort to bring people concerned about global warming together in one place. Add your voice to the hundreds of thousands of other people urging action on this issue.
■Encourage the switch to renewable energy
Successfully combating global warming requires a national transition to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. These technologies are ready to be deployed more widely but there are regulatory barriers impeding them. Take action to break down those barriers with Vote Solar.
■Protect and conserve forest worldwide
Forests play a critial role in global warming: they store carbon. When forests are burned or cut down, their stored carbon is release into the atmosphere – deforestation now accounts for about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Conservation International has more information on forests and global warming.
■Consider the impact of your investments
If you invest your money, you should consider the impact that your investments and savings will have on global warming. Check out SocialInvest and Ceres to can learn more about how to ensure your money is being invested in companies, products and projects that address issues related to climate change.
■Make your city cool
Cities and states around the country have taken action to stop global warming by passing innovative transportation and energy saving legislation. 194 cities nationwide representing over 40 million people have made this pledge as part of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Find out how to make your city a cool city.
■Tell Congress to act
The McCain Lieberman Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act would set a firm limit on carbon dioxide emissions and then use free market incentives to lower costs, promote efficiency and spur innovation. Tell your representative to support it.
■Make sure your voice is heard!
Americans must have a stronger commitment from their government in order to stop global warming and implement solutions and such a commitment won’t come without a dramatic increase in citizen lobbying for new laws with teeth. Get the facts about U.S. politicians and candidates at Project Vote Smart and The League of Conservation Voters. Make sure your voice is heard by voting!
15 Ways to Save Energy
15 Ways to Save Energy
1. Get creative about your commute. Try your best to ride the bus or carpool to work at least a day or two a week. Is there any way you can work at home some days?
2. Use your energy to get around. Try biking to work or, if that is impractical, leaving your bike at your workplace to use on short errands around town. On the weekends, see if you can do without your car and ride your bike or walk to the grocery store and the park.
3. Trade in your gas-guzzler. With extra-efficient and hybrid vehicles on the market and our world's gasoline supply near it's peak, it is time to make your car's fuel-efficiency a top priority. When shopping for a new ride, buy the most efficient vehicle that will fit your needs. New small commuter cars like the Toyota Yaris get up to 30 miles per gallon in the city and into the upper 30's on the highway.
4. Buy local. Purchasing locally made goods saves energy by cutting unnecessary transportation costs. Many times the cost savings is passed on to the consumer, making prices for local goods and services competitive with those from big chain stores or corporations. Look for locally grown food (including dairy), as well as locally made furniture, clothing, gifts, and other items. If your neighbor is a plumber, hire him the next time you need a plumber's services.
5. Unplug electronics when not in use. At home and at work, make it a habit to unplug unused electronics. Many electronic items continue to suck energy from the grid even when the power is off. Energy vampires include DVD players, printers, microwaves, TVs, and stereos - or anything that displays lights or a clock after the power button is pushed. Getting into this habit can save between six and 26 percent of your average monthly electricity bill according to a 2001 survey by students and scientists at the University of California, Berkeley.
6. Use the sun to your advantage. Don't habitually close the blinds and turn on the lights in your home or office when the sun's light is available. During the day open all blinds and make sure lights are turned off. Turn on the lights you need when you need them. Letting in sunlight during the colder months of the year may also help lower heating costs.
7. Use efficient appliances. Your standard appliances may work just fine, but consider upgrading to new ultra-efficient models (you could donate your old ones to people in need or have them recycled). Appliances manufactured in the last few years are significantly more energy efficient than their predecessors - washers and dishwashers use a fraction of the water, too.
8. Switch to compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs are reasonably priced and readily available to fit most light fixtures. Their energy savings is not to be overlooked - CFLs use up to 75% less energy than standard bulbs and can save more than $30 off your energy bill over the life of each bulb. To put their importance in perspective, consider that the US government's Energy Star website states: "if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars."
9. Line-dry your clothes. Let's face it - if you had to live without your clothes dryer, you could. It may be inconvenient at times, but learning to be less reliant on your dryer can save loads of energy. Buy expandable racks to use inside for drying clothes and install a clothesline outside, if possible, for use in the summer. If you need your line-dried towels fluffy throw them in the dryer on the fluff cycle (no heat).
10. Wash clothes in cold water. Most laundry can be washed on a cold cycle and come out just as clean as if you'd used warm water. Use non-chlorine bleach or a few drops of tea tree oil in your load to freshen if necessary.
11. Take shorter showers and install a low-flow shower head. Saving hot water means saving the energy used by your hot water heater.
12. Keep your freezer full. Your freezer uses less energy maintaining the temperature if it is full. If you do not keep much frozen food around, fill empty containers from yogurt or deli items with water and stock your freezer with them.
13. Add or remove clothing to stay comfortable. If the temperature inside is not just right don't act first by adjusting the thermostat - try to bear it by adjusting your clothing instead.
14. Run full dishwasher loads. Many studies have shown running full dishwasher loads saves energy over hand-washing dishes. This is true especially if you have a new ultra-efficient dishwasher.
15. Turn unnecessary lights off. Everyone in your household or office should know to turn off the lights in a room if they are the last ones out. Keep nighttime outside lighting to a minimum and consider installing dimmer switches anywhere lighting can be turned down.
1. Get creative about your commute. Try your best to ride the bus or carpool to work at least a day or two a week. Is there any way you can work at home some days?
2. Use your energy to get around. Try biking to work or, if that is impractical, leaving your bike at your workplace to use on short errands around town. On the weekends, see if you can do without your car and ride your bike or walk to the grocery store and the park.
3. Trade in your gas-guzzler. With extra-efficient and hybrid vehicles on the market and our world's gasoline supply near it's peak, it is time to make your car's fuel-efficiency a top priority. When shopping for a new ride, buy the most efficient vehicle that will fit your needs. New small commuter cars like the Toyota Yaris get up to 30 miles per gallon in the city and into the upper 30's on the highway.
4. Buy local. Purchasing locally made goods saves energy by cutting unnecessary transportation costs. Many times the cost savings is passed on to the consumer, making prices for local goods and services competitive with those from big chain stores or corporations. Look for locally grown food (including dairy), as well as locally made furniture, clothing, gifts, and other items. If your neighbor is a plumber, hire him the next time you need a plumber's services.
5. Unplug electronics when not in use. At home and at work, make it a habit to unplug unused electronics. Many electronic items continue to suck energy from the grid even when the power is off. Energy vampires include DVD players, printers, microwaves, TVs, and stereos - or anything that displays lights or a clock after the power button is pushed. Getting into this habit can save between six and 26 percent of your average monthly electricity bill according to a 2001 survey by students and scientists at the University of California, Berkeley.
6. Use the sun to your advantage. Don't habitually close the blinds and turn on the lights in your home or office when the sun's light is available. During the day open all blinds and make sure lights are turned off. Turn on the lights you need when you need them. Letting in sunlight during the colder months of the year may also help lower heating costs.
7. Use efficient appliances. Your standard appliances may work just fine, but consider upgrading to new ultra-efficient models (you could donate your old ones to people in need or have them recycled). Appliances manufactured in the last few years are significantly more energy efficient than their predecessors - washers and dishwashers use a fraction of the water, too.
8. Switch to compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs are reasonably priced and readily available to fit most light fixtures. Their energy savings is not to be overlooked - CFLs use up to 75% less energy than standard bulbs and can save more than $30 off your energy bill over the life of each bulb. To put their importance in perspective, consider that the US government's Energy Star website states: "if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars."
9. Line-dry your clothes. Let's face it - if you had to live without your clothes dryer, you could. It may be inconvenient at times, but learning to be less reliant on your dryer can save loads of energy. Buy expandable racks to use inside for drying clothes and install a clothesline outside, if possible, for use in the summer. If you need your line-dried towels fluffy throw them in the dryer on the fluff cycle (no heat).
10. Wash clothes in cold water. Most laundry can be washed on a cold cycle and come out just as clean as if you'd used warm water. Use non-chlorine bleach or a few drops of tea tree oil in your load to freshen if necessary.
11. Take shorter showers and install a low-flow shower head. Saving hot water means saving the energy used by your hot water heater.
12. Keep your freezer full. Your freezer uses less energy maintaining the temperature if it is full. If you do not keep much frozen food around, fill empty containers from yogurt or deli items with water and stock your freezer with them.
13. Add or remove clothing to stay comfortable. If the temperature inside is not just right don't act first by adjusting the thermostat - try to bear it by adjusting your clothing instead.
14. Run full dishwasher loads. Many studies have shown running full dishwasher loads saves energy over hand-washing dishes. This is true especially if you have a new ultra-efficient dishwasher.
15. Turn unnecessary lights off. Everyone in your household or office should know to turn off the lights in a room if they are the last ones out. Keep nighttime outside lighting to a minimum and consider installing dimmer switches anywhere lighting can be turned down.
Saving Electricity: How to Reduce Your Energy Costs
Saving Electricity: How to Reduce Your Energy Costs
•If you use space heaters instead of central heating, you can save nearly $1200/year!
•If you use fans instead of air conditioning, you can save about $600/year.
•If you dry your clothes on a line instead of in a dryer, you can save $150/year.
•If you wash your laundry in cold water instead of hot, you can save $150/year.
•If you replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents, you can save nearly $100/year.
•If you get rid of your television, you can save $75/year.
•If you put your computer in sleep mode when you’re not using it, you can save $60/year.
•If you use space heaters instead of central heating, you can save nearly $1200/year!
•If you use fans instead of air conditioning, you can save about $600/year.
•If you dry your clothes on a line instead of in a dryer, you can save $150/year.
•If you wash your laundry in cold water instead of hot, you can save $150/year.
•If you replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents, you can save nearly $100/year.
•If you get rid of your television, you can save $75/year.
•If you put your computer in sleep mode when you’re not using it, you can save $60/year.
20 Free Ways to Save Energy
20 Free Ways to Save Energy
1.Wash clothes in cold water. Most of the cost in running a washer is in heating the water.
2.Hang clothes on a line.
3.Don’t overdry your laundry. Remove clothes from the dryer while they’re still a little damp.
4.Let the dishwasher do the work. Don’t pre-rinse dishes. (This shocks me. I always pre-rinse dishes.)
5.Put your PC to sleep.
6.Turn down the heat in winter. Turn down the air conditioning in summer. Especially when you’re asleep or away from home. (See also.)
7.Don’t use a conventional fireplace.
8.Lower the shades and raise the windows instead of using appliances to regulate temperatures.
9.Use fans instead of an air conditioner.
10.If you use an air conditioner, keep it well maintained.
11.Lower the thermostat on your water heater.
12.Think twice before turning on the oven (especially in summer). A microwave is more energy-efficient.
13.Use the right pan for the right burner.
14.Read the label on new appliances — seek energy-efficient models.
15.Learn to use a crock-pot.
16.Clean the coils on your fridge.
17.Drive steadily, and a bit slower. Rapid acceleration and sudden braking use more fuel. So do higher speeds.
18.Roof racks reduce fuel-efficiency.
19.Stick with regular unless your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends premium.
20.Don’t let your car idle or “warm up”. “With most gasoline engines, it’s more efficient to turn off the engine than to idle longer than 30 seconds.”
1.Wash clothes in cold water. Most of the cost in running a washer is in heating the water.
2.Hang clothes on a line.
3.Don’t overdry your laundry. Remove clothes from the dryer while they’re still a little damp.
4.Let the dishwasher do the work. Don’t pre-rinse dishes. (This shocks me. I always pre-rinse dishes.)
5.Put your PC to sleep.
6.Turn down the heat in winter. Turn down the air conditioning in summer. Especially when you’re asleep or away from home. (See also.)
7.Don’t use a conventional fireplace.
8.Lower the shades and raise the windows instead of using appliances to regulate temperatures.
9.Use fans instead of an air conditioner.
10.If you use an air conditioner, keep it well maintained.
11.Lower the thermostat on your water heater.
12.Think twice before turning on the oven (especially in summer). A microwave is more energy-efficient.
13.Use the right pan for the right burner.
14.Read the label on new appliances — seek energy-efficient models.
15.Learn to use a crock-pot.
16.Clean the coils on your fridge.
17.Drive steadily, and a bit slower. Rapid acceleration and sudden braking use more fuel. So do higher speeds.
18.Roof racks reduce fuel-efficiency.
19.Stick with regular unless your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends premium.
20.Don’t let your car idle or “warm up”. “With most gasoline engines, it’s more efficient to turn off the engine than to idle longer than 30 seconds.”
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