What can my family and I do at home to save electricity, water, etc.?

Question

It has been brought to my attention lately that my family and I could definitely take part in saving electricity, water, etc. I wouldn't mind a few tips on ways to do so. I know the basics, such as 'turn off the lights when you do not need them on', but I would like to take it a small step further.
Thank you!

To respond to i_luv_hotties: I am doing this to help save our Earth, not to save money. While saving money can be helpful, it will not save you or your future generations when it comes to our Earth.
Just thought I'd mention that.

Answer 1

You have received some very disrespectful answers ya know?

If you have satellite, or cable turn them off at the boxes or just unplug them because when you use the remote the are really still on in stand by, sucking up electricity. Another thing you can do is call the electric company, and sign up for the equal payment plan so there are no surprises.

Make sure windows have proper seals, or add new caulking.
Lots of heat, and a/c is lost out of broken seal windows driving up costs. Use lowered watt light bulbs in areas where you don't need as much lighting. Use solar security lights outside. They may need a battery for cloudy days, but don't use electricity.

Use the dishwasher, and washing machine when you have a FULL load only not just one or two things, to save water..

Hey email that dude that gave you the hard time to get him to send you the money to pay for all this stuff since he's so "rich". Yeah right. Sounds like a poor jerk to me. People with money have good ideas and class not s--- for brains!

Answer 2

get an empty 1/2 gallon milk jug and fill it with water. Keep it in your toilet tank. This will reduce your water in/out put by a half gallon every time you flush. Also, unplug everything when you are not home. A lot of electronics us electricity, even when not in use(TVs, microwaves, any thing with a digital display.) Buy energy bulbs. Each one can save you $30 a year on your electricity bill.We started grilling for the summer. The electricity it takes to use the stove and then cool the house off after the meal is done is very high, so grilling is great if you have the option. We only do laundry if it is a full load. If you wash bulky items(sheets, blankets, towels) try hanging them outside to dry or over doors if you cannot hang anything outside. There are a few things that we have done around our house to get ready for a really hot Texas summer. If we cut our electricity use elsewhere, then we can have the air on more to keep the house bearable.

Answer 3

cos of global warming so don't switch on ur air-con n fans but open all ur windows n doors,no hot water shower,no electric oven/grill/toaster/kettle(replaced by gasoline).only on the light if necessary.use a big plastic pail to collect back water while showering n use this water 4 washing ur cars n watering flowers.adjust the water level of ur flushing tanks to its minimum.2 small pails(about 2 gall) 4 rinsing all the plates,bowls,spoons,forks n glasses.i think these w'd much help in saving.

Answer 4

Here's a list I made, it comes from a website of mine that also explains about carbon offsetting - a way in which you can offset your carbon emissions by planting trees.

There's more info on the website http://profend.com/global-warming/pages/... but the main energy saving tips are listed below...

When replacing appliances buy energy efficient ones.

Turn off electrical appliances when not in use, don’t use the standby option.

Use energy efficient light bulbs and switch off lights when not in use.

Similarly, turn down water heating by a few degrees.

Fit individual thermostats to radiators and don't heat rooms that aren't used.

Insulate walls, lofts, hot water tanks and pipes.

Turn your heating and air conditioning down, a small difference will be barely noticeable.

Sign up to a green energy supplier, one that produces energy from renewable sources.

Turn off heating and air-conditioning when the house or office is unoccupied.

Wash full loads of clothes at a lower temperature, modern machines and detergents are just as effective at lower temperatures.

Dry your clothes outdoors instead of in a tumble drier.

Wash full loads in the dish-washer.

Insulate your home and block draughts around doors and windows. In Europe this is free to many people.

Consider installing a renewable energy system such as solar panels or a home wind turbine.

Use rechargeable batteries; don’t leave rechargers on for longer than is needed (including mobile / cell-phones).

Boil only as much water in the kettle as you need.

Buy locally produced organic food where possible, there's less transportation and the farming methods are more environmentally friendly.

Look where goods were manufactured and avoid buying those that have been flown or shipped long distances.

Recycle and reuse as much as possible. Sign up with mail preferential services to stop junk mail.

Avoid buying products with excessive packaging.

Don’t have your fridge or freezer set lower than need to be, regularly defrost freezers, don’t put hot food into your fridge or freezer.

If your fridge or freezer is over 15 years old then consider replacing it (check with local authority regarding disposal of old one).

Work from home where possible.

Eat less meat and dairy produce, farming produces large quantities of greenhouse gases.

Drive a fuel efficient vehicle, if you have more than one vehicle then use the most economical one more often.

Consider walking or cycling when going to work or taking the kids to schools, if you have to drive then consider car sharing.

Use public transport where possible and consider taking a coach or train instead of using domestic flights.

When replacing your vehicle look at diesel and liquid petroleum gas models.

Combine multiple journeys into one and do your weekly shopping in a single trip.

Stagger journeys where possible to avoid rush hour traffic and hold ups.

Avoid harsh braking, accelerate gently and drive at a steady speed.

Keep tyres inflated to the correct pressure.

Remove bike and ski racks when not in use, also remove detachable roof racks, luggage boxes etc.

Carrying unnecessary weight wastes fuel, declutter your vehicle.

Use the correct gear and use cruise control if your vehicle has it.

Keep your vehicle regularly services.

Turn the engine off when stopped or waiting

Answer 5

Turn off the computer, the TV, the iPod and the cell phone and chat as a family. Maybe play some cards or something else/

Answer 6

When ever you leave a room with lights on in your house. TURN THE LIGHTS OFF!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

dont use as much water or electricty etc and by the way r u poor cuz im rich and we dont have to worry about crap like that our water bill is $450 a month and our electricity is $520 a month and yes we have a huge house with a big fountain in the front oh yes im rich and your not so sorry email me at [e-mail] and ill send u some money since your poor

Answer 8

Go to www.earth911.org There's alot of info there.