Do
Your Part to Reduce Energy Use
The past few weeks have been
the hottest of the summer and electric supply has been pushed to the limit by
the increased demand by consumers trying to keep cool. With all of today’s
technologies, computers, printers, air conditioners, TVs, VCRs, and microwaves,
consumers are more “plugged in” than ever before. Nonetheless, the
Alliance
to Save Energy predicts that these growing power demands could lead to power
blackouts and brownouts in years to come.
The
Alliance
urges businesses and consumers to be part of the solution. Below
are some tips you can follow to easily and comfortably lighten the power load in
your home — and cut energy bills too:
- Listen
to your mother. ("What do you think — we own the electric
company?!") Turn off everything not in use such as lights, TVs,
printers and computers and unplug cell phone and battery chargers.
- Reduce
utility bills by as much as 30 percent. Look for the Energy Star
label, the symbol for energy efficiency, when shopping for major appliances,
lighting, windows, and home electronics. Find retailers near you at www.energystar.gov.
- Shift
energy-intensive tasks, laundry and dishwashing, to off-peak energy
demand hours nights and weekends, and remember to do full loads.
- Install
CFLs. Replacing four 75-watt incandescent bulbs with 23-watt
fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) that use about two-thirds less energy and last up
to 10 times longer saves $190 over the life of the bulbs.
- Switch
to cold water washing of laundry in top-loading washing
machines to save energy and up to $63 a year—detergents formulated for
cold water get clothes just as clean.
For more energy-efficient tips and information on how to
save money around the home, visit the
Alliance
to Save Energy at www.ase.org.
Back
