Smart Practices

Turn it off:

Don't let hot water just run down the drain (for instance while shaving).
Turn off lights when not in use, even if for just a few minutes.
Turn off televisions and stereo equipment when not in use.
Turn off computer when not in use for more than one hour.
Turn off air conditioner when not at home.
Unplug a second refrigerator or freezer if you don't keep them full.
Unplug television and stereo equipment when out of town. They use energy in idle mode whenever plugged in. Also unplug copiers and printers.
Turn off hot tubs when out of town and in seasons of no usage. (During active season lower temperature to 80 degrees between uses).

Keep light bulbs and fixtures clean. Dirty fixtures can reduce brightness by 25%.
Clean your dryer lint filter after every use. Make sure dryer vent hose and outside duct are unobstructed (obstructed dryer vents are a fire hazard).
Don't allow more than ¼ inch frost buildup on manual-defrost freezers.
Vacuum coils (behind or underneath refrigerator) twice a year. Clean coils help the compressor run less and last longer.
Make sure furnace fans and coils are clean, for efficiency. Keep air registers and grilles clean for efficiency and to improve air quality.

Don't block air registers, baseboard radiators or cold air returns.
Take shorter showers. You can set a timer to tell you when time is up.
Rinse all laundry loads with cold water and use cold for wash cycle whenever appropriate. Run full loads, if possible. Reduce water level setting on smaller loads.
Hang clothes outside when it's sunny. Use nature's free energy!
On dryer use the MOISTURE or AUTOMATIC setting, if it has one, so it shuts down as soon as clothes are dry.
Don't run dishwasher until it is fully loaded.
On dishwasher avoid using RINSE AND HOLD cycle. It uses about 8 gallons of hot water just to pre-rinse dishes. Soak dishes in the sink or scrape them instead.
When cooking, use smaller electric skillet, microwave oven or toaster oven when possible, rather than large oven for small items.
Cover pans to cook food faster. Use pan sizes that fully cover the burner.
Turn off oven and burners a few minutes before food is done; it will continue to cook. Preheat oven only for fine baked goods that require it.
Fix leaky faucets. One drip every 2 seconds wastes 50 gallons of water a month!