What You Can Do to Help Solve the Climate Crisis

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ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
When you purchase new appliances, choosing models designed to use energy efficiently will save you money over time and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For information about the newest energy-efficient appliances, visit www.energystar.gov/products. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has a checklist to guide home energy savings, including how to operate appliances more efficiently.

HEAT & COOL MORE EFFICIENTLY
Heating and cooling your house can be a major energy drain, typically accounting for about 45 percent of a household’s total energy use. Lowering your heat by just a few degrees in the winter and setting your air conditioner a couple of degrees higher in the summer can add up to real energy savings over time. And using a programmable thermostat allows you to adjust temperatures automatically — for example, while you are sleeping or at work.

GET A HOME ENERGY AUDIT
Performing a comprehensive energy audit can help identify areas of your home that are consuming the most power. For an informative do-it-yourself tool to conduct your own audit, visit www.energyguide.com. The typical household spends an average of $1,500 per year on energy and can save as much as $450 or more by implementing some simple energy-efficiency measures. There are also professional home energy auditors who can give you thorough energy-efficiency assessments. To find an energy specialist in your area, visit the Residential Energy Services Network.

CONSERVE HOT WATER
You can significantly cut energy use by setting your water temperature no higher than 120 degrees. You can also conserve hot water by installing efficient low-flow shower heads. Also consider the water requirements of appliances. Front-loading washing machines are much more efficient than top-loading machines. Washing clothes in warm or cold water, rather than hot, can be a big energy saver as well.

REDUCE STANDBY POWER WASTE
Many appliances — including televisions, DVD players and cell phone chargers — use electricity even when they are turned “off.” In fact, 25 percent of the energy a television uses is consumed when it isn’t even on. The only way to be sure your appliance is not using power is to unplug it, or to plug it into a power strip, which you can then switch off. For more information, visit www.standby.lbl.gov/index.html.

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