April 22 is Earth Day. Consider making an Earth Day resolution to change at least one energy-related bad habit at home.
Here are some ideas:
- If you haven’t already, switch your lamps and other light fixtures to LED versions.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room and teach your children to do the same.
- Unplug appliances like the TV and your computer when you’re not using them. Appliances that are turned off but still plugged in draw small amounts of electricity. Using a power strip for clusters of components can help you turn everything off at once.
- Take shorter showers. You’ll save water and energy since the water heater won’t have to work as hard.
- Use window shades, opening them in winter and closing them in summer.
- Set your programmable thermostat correctly to save up to 10% on heating and cooling bills.
- Change air conditioning filters regularly so that your system doesn’t have to work as hard to operate properly.
- Wash clothes in cold water and line-dry them.
- Set the water heater temperature to 120 degrees and wrap the tank in an insulating blanket.