- Maximize Shade. Curtains, blinds, and shades work well to block the summer heat from entering the house.
- Fill up the fridge and freezer. Having lots of food in your fridge and freezer keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open.
- Don’t use the pre-rinsing feature – dishwashers today don’t require per-rinsing to effectively clean dishes. By skipping this step you’ll save as much as 20 gallons per load or 6500 gallons per year.
- Wash full loads of laundry – your machine will use the same amount of energy regardless of load size.
- Use cold water whenever possible; 90% of the energy used for washing clothes comes from heating the water. There are great cold water detergents that have been specially formulated to give you a better clean in cold water.
- Shift electricity use to off-peak periods.
- Run your dishwasher, washer, and dryer early in the morning or in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are the lowest.
- Unplug electronic items not in use. Many electronic items — computers, TVs, and cell phone chargers — continue to consume small amounts of electricity unless they are unplugged. Try plugging these items into a power bar with a switch, so you can easily turn them off when they are not in use.
- Take advantage of the local farmers market. Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bags.
- Walk to the store for small items – an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint and get your daily exercise.
- Turn off your car engines. Idling your vehicle less will save you money on fuel, improve air quality in your community, and reduce emissions contributing to climate change.