Conservation

Turn off the lights when you leave a room
Do not leave water running unnecessarily (brushing teeth, dishes)
Close off rooms that are not in use to conserve heat/air
Wash laundry with cold water
Shorten your showers
Install a programmable thermostat (mine cost $50)
Install CFL (compact fluorescent lights) bulbs
Use insulated curtains or blinds
Take advantage of natural light
Make sure air registers are not blocked
Caulk, weatherstrip and seal windows and doors
Foam or caulk around outlets
Use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper
Use reusable plates instead of paper or plastic single use plates
Turn off any unused appliances (or better yet, unplug them)
Plant trees to shade your house from the hot summer sun
Close fireplace damper when not in use
Check your plumbing for leaks, then fix them ASAP
Use rechargeable batteries instead of single use
Install a low flow shower-head
Make sure your toilet is at the current standard (1.6g/flush)
Add a full water bottle to the toilet tank to reduce the water use
Change or clean furnace filters regularly
Insulate attic and outside walls
Hang dry your laundry as weather permits
Buy in bulk on items you use frequently
Wash only full loads of laundry, or adjust load size
Reuse containers
Insulate your water tank (mine cost $14)
Install Energy Star products when replacing appliances
Clean lint from dryer after every load
Use task lighting vs. entire room lighting
Turn your water heater to 120 degrees or below
Replace windows (especially single pane) with Energy Star products
Get an energy audit from your local provider (usually free)
Install solar power if possible
Install timers for outdoor lights
Install on demand hot water for the entire house
Check your door and window seals seasonally and adjust if necessary
Close curtains on the sunny side of the house in the summer
Open curtains on the sunny side of the house in the winter
Open the windows vs. using the AC as much as possible
Lower the temp in the house at night, and when gone during the day
Use the water when washing vege's to water your plants
Cut down your use of garbage disposal, compost instead
Use a broom to clean sidewalks or driveways, rather than a hose

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