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Holistic Energy Day Tips
Since almost all of the electricity and all of the natural gas used in DC comes from outside the city, its residents and communities particularly susceptible to fluctuations in price. Here are some steps DC residents can take to become more energy efficient to reduce their energy bills and the emissions produced. All of the following tips help reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses which contribute to global climate change.
Change a light
According to the Change a Light, Change the World campaign, if every American home replaced just five standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), we’d save about $6.5 billion each year in energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from more than 8 million cars! Incandescent bulbs, also waste 90% of their energy to create heat! As a result, they burn out very quickly. Compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) use much less electricity to produce just as much light and last much longer. You can protect the environment and save money by taking the ENERGY STAR pledge to switch to CFLs: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=cal.showPledge.
National Environmental Education Week
www.eeweek.org
Urban Solar Solutions, LLC
www.urbansolarsolutions.com
Not using it? Unplug it
Anything with a clock--VCRs, coffee makers, microwave ovens--uses a small amount of power all the time. Anything that uses a "power cube" in the AC socket, i.e. answering machines, electric toothbrushes, and cell phone chargers, use tiny amounts of power (maybe a watt or two), but they make the inverter stay turned on and running 24 hours a day. Put these appliances on a switchable outlet or a power strip that can be switched off when not in use.
care2
www.care2.com
Get a free energy audit through the District Department of the Environment
An energy audit, or survey, identifies what steps you can take to make your home, business, or non-profit more energy efficient. The District Department of the Environment offers free energy audits for residents, small businesses, and non-profits throughout the city. Call the DDOE Energy Hotline at (202) 673-6750.
District Department of the Environment
http://ddoe.dc.gov
Conduct a free, do-it-yourself energy audit online
Not sure how energy-efficient your home is? The Home Energy Saver online calculator provides a quick way
or you and your family members to calculate the energy efficiency of your home and take practical steps to
save energy and money. Get started at http://hes.lbl.gov/.
National Environmental Education Week
www.eeweek.org
Reduce the hot water temperature
You can reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs. Although some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140ºF, most households usually only require them set at 120ºF or even 115ºF. Water heated at 140ºF also poses a safety hazard—scalding. However, if you have a dishwasher without a booster heater, it may require a water temperature within a range of 130ºF to 140ºF for optimum cleaning. Reducing your water temperature to 120ºF also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. This helps your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.
US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
www.eere.energy.gov
Move the thermostat three degrees
Heating and cooling represents the biggest chunk of our home energy consumption. Just by turning the thermostat down three degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and up three degrees in the summer, you can prevent the emission of nearly 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Feel like starting with a one-degree shift? No problem!
New American Dream Turn the Tide Campaign
www.newdream.org/tttoffline/actions.php
Buying new appliances or electronics? Purchase ENERGY STAR labeled products
Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. These products will help you cut down your energy consumption immediately and enjoy the lower bills in the future.
US Department of Energy, www.energy.gov
US Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov
ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov
Drive more efficiently by observing the speed limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer. Or better yet, use public transportation to and from work or to get around town.
US Department of Energy
www.energy.gov
www.fueleconomy.gov
Plant a tree
Planting trees is one of the best ways to keep the air clean, mitigate global warming, and provide cooling shade during the summer and wind protection during the winter. The National Arbor Day Foundation supplies quality trees that are native to your area and even has an online tool to help you plant the right tree in the right place.Check out www.arborday.org/trees/righttreeandplace/ for more information.
National Environmental Education Week
www.eeweek.org
Neutralize your home’s carbon emissions
Buy wind energy credits to offset the global warming emissions from your home’s electricity use. Each 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the DC region produces about 1,400 pounds of carbon dioxide, the main global warming gas. You can neutralize your home’s contribution to global warming by buying wind energy credits.
Clean Currents
www.cleancurrents.com
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