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Use Energy Wisely at Home

About one-third of all electricity produced at power plants in the United States is used in the home. Families that reduce their electricity use by avoiding waste and buying energy-efficient appliances save money and help preserve natural resources used to generate electricity.

Lighting:

  • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs.
  • Turn off lights when they're not in use.

Heating/Air Conditioning:

  • Set your heater thermostat to the lowest temperature that still keeps you comfortable—some recommend 68°F by day and a cool 55°F by night.
  • Ask an adult to make sure the fireplace damper is closed when the heating system is on so heated air doesn't escape up the chimney.
  • Keep your air conditioner's thermostat set at 76°F to 78°F to stay comfortable and use less energy.
  • Close doors quickly when you enter or leave a house where heating or air conditioning is on.

Appliances:

  • Use a clothesline when possible.
  • Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it.
  • Wash and dry full loads of laundry.
  • Clean the coils on the refrigerator.

Cooking:

  • Cover pots when cooking.
  • Don't open the oven too often.
  • Use the microwave whenever possible.

Bathing:

  • Install a low-flow showerhead.
  • Take shorter showers or half-full baths.
  • Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.

Transportation:

  • Use bicycles.
  • Use buses, trains, and car pools.
  • Combine errands to reduce trips.


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