Tell Me More
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.
© Culver Media, LLC. All rights reserved.