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Energy-Saving Tips
Posted by Dr. Ben Kim on Jun 09, 2006
Here are some energy-saving tips that my wife and I use to keep our costs down and decrease our burden on the earth's natural resources:
- Your computer monitor uses approximately 60 percent of the total energy used by your entire computer. When you are not working on your computer but don't want to turn it off, at least turn off your monitor. Doing so will save you more energy than simply putting your computer on standby.
- If you have to buy an appliance, even a room air conditioner, buy an energy star qualified product. It will cost you more in the short term, but will save you dollars and the environment over its lifetime.
- In hot weather, use window blinds and shades to block out the heat.
- Choose toaster ovens over regular ovens whenever possible.
- Use ceiling and/or floor fans in place of or as adjuncts to an air conditioner. Fans use very little electricity compared to air conditioners. If you use a ceiling fan, be sure that it blows air downwards in hot weather.
- Hang your laundry to dry outdoors instead of using a dryer. All it takes is about a hundred feet of rope that you can pick up for 5 dollars at any hardware or discount store and a little creativity in finding places to hang the rope.
If you know of any additional simple, energy-saving tips that others can benefit from, I would appreciate you sharing them in the comments section below.
Thank you.
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Comments
Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
Everyone should see AN INCONVIENT TRUTH and then check out the website: climatecrisis.com.
Sunday, June 11, 2006 11:08:24 AM
Anonymous said...
Curling Irons use alot of energy. Sometimes accidently left on.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 10:14:18 AM
Leslie O. said...
Instead of throwing ice down the drain that has been in the freezer too long, let melt and water the plants with it.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 11:07:25 AM
Anonymous said...
Put a bucket under your air conditioner drain,use water for watering outside plants,I get about 10 gallons a day.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 11:33:20 AM
Amanda said...
Bring a mug and a spoon into the office for coffee and tea instead of wasting plastic and paper goods.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 12:48:44 PM
youngoxfrd said...
Save dishwater & bath water to water flowers & plants during water restricting drought times.
Keep drapes, shades & shutters closed on sunny side of house to help keep house cooler & keep A/C from running as often.
Each degree higher you set thermostat, you save $60.00 per year in costs. Set thermostat @ 79 degree's & use ceiling fans to help circulate the air to save costs.
Turn hot water heater down to medium setting or even low setting for one or two people to save costs.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 1:43:21 PM
Anonymous said...
Living in SE Colorado, summer is intense. We use white foam insulation, cut to fit the entire window, to block the extreem heat generated through the glass of the southern facing windows.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 1:47:31 PM
Anonymous said...
Non city dwellers can run their washing machine drain water to their non food bearing trees.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 2:33:27 PM
Anonymous said...
Putting the extra napkins and plasticware from those pesky fast food joints in your glovebox or even a drawer at home saves a few resources.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 2:36:27 PM
Anonymous said...
No recycling bin at work? I stick everything recyclable in a plastic bag and bring it home to my personal bin...At least I know I'm doing over and above my part.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 10:42:40 PM
Anonymous said...
Turn off lights everytime you exit a room and also don't let your dishwasher go thru the drying cycle. Turn it off.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 11:23:05 PM
moorea said...
in your home:
When it's cold, wear long underwear, 2 pairs of socks, a vest, etc. and turn down the heat!
When it's hot, open all your windows wide to let the breeze flow in and out, drink cold liquids, wear as little clothing as possible, and turn off your swamp cooler or A/C! (good for people who like natural light and can't take the "draw your blinds" advice)
Saturday, June 17, 2006 11:41:15 PM
Peggywho said...
To save water (we're in a drought), electricity and time, I wash small amounts of clothing from whites to darkest in a basin of sudsy water and then rinse in plain water ,add a tablespoon of white cheap vinegar to rinse more thoroughly. Line dry or else just use the spin cycle in your washing machine to get the most water out of it before line drying. Saves heaps of time, electricity, the clothes last better (being gently washed), saves wash powder and of course WATER and MONEY. Cheers Peggywho
Sunday, June 18, 2006 12:51:37 AM
peggywho said...
Another idea is to use only cold water to wash clothes in - the modern wash powder doesn't need hot water. It saves heaps on electricity and of course natural resources as well as your budget. Cheers Peggywho
Sunday, June 18, 2006 1:01:25 AM
Anonymous said...
here's one...
...don't use your dishwasher, wash your dishes by hand
Sunday, June 18, 2006 1:42:15 AM
Anonymous said...
Set the timer on your T.V. if you are prone to falling asleep in front of it.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 9:35:48 PM
Renate said...
I use a power bar for my tv and microwave ovens...therefore they are only using energy when on. I also unplug my clock radio during the day (I have the type that doesn't need the radio to be reprogrammed each time i unplug it) and also when we go away. I have switched to energy saving light bulbs ..this has made a big difference even so we never left lights on in rooms when we weren't there. Anything that is ''instant on'' or makes a noise a few seconds after you unplug it, is constantly using energy even when turned off.
Friday, June 23, 2006 11:14:34 AM
Anonymous said...
Put a bucket under your shower, specially if it takes a while for the warm water to star running.Use the water for watering plants or for your toilet.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 10:09:36 AM
Anonymous said...
When running water at the tap to get warm or hot water, don't let the cold water go down the drain - save it and put it in the fridge to drink later, or use to water plants, etc.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006 4:14:15 PM
Anonymous said...
Question: Does anyone know if switching off your TV and electronics by using a surge strip shortens the life of the equipment?
Thursday, August 03, 2006 9:32:59 AM