What are easy, simple ways to save energy?

Answer 1

Unplug VCR (the flashing light takes up more power than you think)

Leave one dim light on in your home at night so you are not constantly getting up in the dark for the restroom, water, etc. and having to turn lights on and off

Put box fan in window during the day and no need to turn it on, it should spin in cool air whrn the wind picks up a little

Put towel in front of front and back door during cold weather to trap the cold outside

Answer 2

Switch to energy efficient light bulbs (fluorescent-somebody at Home Depot or Lowe's, etc. should know)
recycle-around here, there are not a lot of recycling options; we have a tub we put paper and cardboard in and every once in a while, we have to take it to the recycling area, I'll try to put glass together somewhere else, and when I have a chance, take it to another area that has a recycling area for that
I think there are 'energy star' appliances, they have a big price tag to buy, but over the long run, they save you a lot of money
When you're not in a room, turn off the lights, unplug anything, including TVs
try to keep the ac down in the summer and the heater lower in the winter i.e.-in the summer, to cool off, use a mister, get your hair wet and use the fan; in the winter, put on a sweater or a coat before you turn the heat up\drive less, try to plan your errands so that you do more than one thing when you go out.

Answer 3

There are alot of simple ways to save electricity,first start with your thermostat in winter months never turn higher 68 degrees and in the summer months never turn lower 78 degrees.Secondly get energy saving bulbs,if you cant afford energy saving bulbs then get light bulbs that are 60 watt.And last but not least appliances that you arent using un-plug them most have clocks and memory that use electricity and minimize shower usage and set appliances to energy saving settings this also includes your hot water heater set at energy saving settings,and turn off all lights that arent in use and do all of your laundry on one day instead of doing several small loads.You should be able to save alot of money this way.I have a 2 story condo 2 bedroom 2 bath and my electric bill is $54 a month for two people.

Answer 4

You can use fluorescent lightbulbs (the spiral shaped lightbulbs) instead of incandescent ones. They use 4 times less electricity than incandescent lightbulbs and last a couple years longer.

Turn off lights and electrical appliances in the house when you don't need them.

In the summer, try not to use the air conditioning as much and in the winter, try not to use the heater as much.

Use renewable resources like solar energy, wind energy, etc.

The next time you buy a car, buy a car with high gas mileage. Not just a hybrid car, because some hybrid cars don't have very good gas mileage either.

Make sure your house has good insulation, that way in the summer, it will keep the house cool, and in the winter trap heat in the house so it will be warmer.

When you need to go somewhere, try to carpool, or do as many errands as you can in one trip so you save gas.

Then again, instead of driving, try biking or walking of your destination is close by.

For some more methods, you can look in this Time magazine.
I don't remember which one but i think it is either in february, march, or april. One of those.

Answer 5

In my house, we ALWAYS turn off lights that we are not using at the time. We also keep the thermostat down in the winter, and up in the summer. Usually around 76-78 in the summer, and around 70-72 in the winter. We also use fans during the day as for the use less energy than a central unit would. We stay away from cooking during the day if possible, and usually only use the stove for dinner time. Make sure that all windows and doors are air tight, and have no leaks. Make sure that your attic has proper ventilation, and has adequate insulation. It is also wise to pull the shades during the day to keep the heat out during summer days.

Answer 6

It makes it easier to do almost anything if you have a plan.
Take some time, and look around your home, so you can see where you are spending the most energy.
Then see where you can make changes. It can be as simple as unplugging an appliance, or just turning out a light.
Here are some simple things I do, that make a difference.
Kitchen)
Cook in bulk and freeze part of it. You won't have to run the oven nearly so often. This saves time too. :)
When cooking pasta, bring the water to a boil, add the pasta,cover with lid, turn off the heat and set your timer for the amount of time suggested.
Pasta comes out perfect, you save energy!
Always use a lid on pots and pans when heating foods, as they heat quicker, saving more energy.

When it's extremely hot outside don't add extra heat to your house by cooking. Eat cold meals, like salads or sandwiches. You won't have to crank up the air conditioning to compensate.

When it's cold, you can make it "feel" warmer by adding humidity, instead of turning up the heat. Try making a pot of soup or spaghetti. Both dishes creat a feeling of warmth, because of the moisture they release into the air.

Bathroom)
Make sure your faucets don't leak!
I can cut my shower time drasticaly, if I wash my face before I get in the shower. (A trickle of water from a sink is much more energy efficent than a blast from a shower head.) Also turn the shower off when you shave your legs.
In cold weather a bit of bath oil rubbed on to your skin right before you are ready to towell off, helps to trap the warmth from the water in your body. You will feel much warmer even if the thermostat is set low.

Bedrooms)
In the winter I buy cheap tube socks, and fill them with rice (uncooked!), Just tie off the open end with string. Before bed I pop one in the microwave for about 2 or 3 minutes. They get really warm, and stay warm for several hours.
I can set the heat much lower and still feel comfy cozy warm. They also are nice to tuck next to you on the sofa if you are chilly.
In the summer I wait until it's starting to get dark, then open my bedroom window, and place a small fan in it, so that I am drawing in the cool night air. I run it for about10 minutes til the room is cool.
I also open ALL my windows at night in the summer, by morning my house is super cool. I close my windows early in the morning, and close all the window coverings.When I come home from work, my house is still cool.
I only run the central air about 2 days a year!
So, the idea is to just be aware of where you use energy, and get creative in ways to work around it.
If you make it enjoyable you are more likely to stick with it :)
Good Luck!

Answer 7

1. Insulate your water heater.

2. Clean the lint-trap on your dryer after every load.

3. Use the energy efficient light bulbs, they cost more initially but use less energy (lower electric bill) and last a long time.

4. Try using solar lighting for outdoors.

5. Keep your car tuned and tired properly inflated.

6. Adjust your themostat to be a couple degrees cooler in winter and warmer in summer. Those 2 degrees won't change your comfort level but will make a difference in the energy used.

7. Set your computer to go into 'hibernate' if you're going to be away from it for 15 minutes or so. Screen-savers DO NOT save energy.

8. Unplug appliances you rarely use. You may have a TV or alarm clock in a spare bedroom that is drawing electrical current even though they aren't turned on! Power stripes make this easy to do.

9. When it comes time to replace your appliances, look for energy efficient ones.

10. If you have empty space in your freezer, fill up some Tupperware with water; this makes less space thus less energy to keep the area frozen.

11. Paper verses plastic while shopping? Neither! Get some canvas totes (they're cheap) and use them over and over again. They can also be washed. Plastic takes forever to deteriorate and paper has to come from trees.

12. Draw your shades on hot days; have light airy curtains in winter.

13. Caulk your windows.

14. Join www.FreeCycle.com where there's a network of people who will list stuff they no longer need, or you can post something you're in need of. Everything is free and if it's not in your area it's easy to start it up. (Females: just be cautious about someone coming to your house to pick something up / or going to pick something up somewhere, if you're alone.

15. Only do full loads of laundry and use cold water unless very soiled.

16. If you have a large yard, try to incorporate more landscaping into it and reducing the area the needs to be mowed. Groundcovers are great investments. Fruit trees and evergreens help our wildlife.

17. Shut the water off when brushing your teeth! Likewise, take your showers a little cooler and/or shorter.

18. Try to multi-task when you drive. If in a weeks time you need to go to the grocery store, post office, etc., try to condense your trips so you'll use less fuel.

19. Air dry dishes instead of using the drying cycle. Hang clothes out to dry when possible.

20. Change some of your driving habits. Put the car in neutral when going down hills. If there's a red light ahead, you can start slowing down when you see it unstead of driving up at regular speed only to step on the brakes. Don't start a car to 'warm' it up. Driving is what gets the car warm-you can shiver for a couple minutes! Shut the car off when stopped at RR crossings.

Not only do these steps make sense for the environment, but will also save your some money.

Answer 8

Turn your air up and your heat down. Turn the temperature on your water heater down or better yet get an instant hot water heater. Put in energy efficient light blubs. Not only turn off your appliances, lights, and computer when you are not using them, but unplug them. Make sure your windows and doors are not leaking air. Close your drapes on windows that allow in direct sunlight during the day. Use a fan - it lowers room temperature 3-4 degrees which means your air won't run as much. Use a microwave instead of the stove or oven when possible. Put in solar panels if possible - most states and the federal government will give you a rebate for installing them.

Answer 9

I like to grill out in summer so when I grill I take one day and cook all the meat for the week . It save energy by not cooking in the stove I use the microwave. I also keep the air on 75 degrees in the house. I open the blinds to let in sun light till it gets dark then turn on a light. also I make sure the freezer is full so as not to over work the freezer over the refrigerator.

Answer 10

There are easy and simple and then there are effective ways.

Effective ways are plant trees that shade your house during the summer, caulk every opening around your house that a/c and heat can escape and put a timer on your water heater so that you are not paying to heat water all night while you sleep and all day while you are at work. Also reinsulate that attic space.

Now the simple and easy:
Plan your trips to save gas and time.
Unplug unused electrical items(including cell phone chargers)
Keep drapes closed in the morning to keep the heat out
Open drapes in winter to let heat in
Cook outside on the grill(less energy and heat)
Go outside and play(turn electrical stuff off while out)
Air up your car tires(saves gas)
Tune up car(uses less gas)
..and yes, and replace those light bulbs

Answer 11

You can save the most energy by avoiding air travel.
On a local level, walk or bicycle to work or take public transportation.

Recycling and reducing energy use in the home is good, too, but you'll get the biggest savings from reducing the number of flights you make in a year (if you fly regularly).