Green Checklist – Energy
A Green Neighborhood Council Checklist Of Ways We Can All Save Energy & Money
✓ Plug air leaks. For how-to information, log onto: http://ase.org/resources/home-building-efficiency-tips-plugging-air-leaks
✓ Plant trees. The right trees, positioned to provide windbreaks and shade, can save a significant percentage of a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling: www.arborday.org/globalwarming/summerShade.cfm
✓ When replacing old appliances, computers, table lamps, and light fixtures, choose Energy Star products, which save energy and money in the long run.
✓ Use natural light whenever possible.
✓ Focus your lighting on tasks, using a lamp instead of an overhead lighting fixture that requires several bulbs.
✓ Choose the most energy efficient light bulb for a particular area and use: http://ase.org/resources/energy-efficient-bulb-options
✓ Use outdoor solar lighting.
✓ Plug home electronics into power strips and turn the power strips off when the equipment is not being used.
✓ Install gasket seals (available at hardware stores) under the cover plates on electrical outlets along outside walls
✓ During cold weather, instead of adjusting the thermostat, put on a sweater or jacket and keep blankets or afghans handy. Put extra blankets or comforters on beds.
✓ In hot weather, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing.
✓ During the winter, open curtains or shades on south-facing windows to allow sunlight to warm your home. Close them at night to keep the heat in.
✓ Use a space heater to warm a single room, which allows dialing down the thermostat for the rest of the house.
✓ Install an Energy Star qualified programmable thermostat.
✓ In hot weather, use shades, drapes and other window coverings on south and west-facing windows to keep out excess heat.
✓ During hot weather months, use a fan whenever possible, instead of cooling the entire house.
✓ Set your water heater at 120° or 130° when home and the lowest setting when away.
✓ Wash your clothes in cold or warm water.
✓ Run your dishwasher when fully loaded.
✓ Use the “air dry” setting on your dishwasher.
✓ Choose the shortest cycle that properly cleans your dishes and clothes.
✓ Adjust the water level on your clothes washer according to the load size.
✓ Use clotheslines and/or drying racks instead of your dryer, especially for laundry you don’t wear. If you air-dry your wearables, you can get wrinkles out by tossing a damp cloth in with them and drying them for 10-15 minutes.
✓ Keep your dryer’s lint trap clean to keep it working efficiently.
✓ Clean or replace dirty filters as needed on your furnace, air conditioner, vacuum cleaner, and other household equipment to keep them working at optimum levels, requiring less energy.
✓ Cook with small appliances when possible: microwave, toaster oven, electric skillet, and slow cooker, for example.
✓ Set your refrigerator temperature between 36° F and 42° F and the freezer between -5° F and +6° F. A small thermometer in each of them will help you set it correctly.
✓ Use kitchen and bathroom fans sparingly during cold weather months, as they draw warm air out of a house.
✓ Reduce, reuse, recycle, & repair. Each time you do, you’re saving energy.
✓ Buy recycled products to save energy.
