Simple Tips to Save Energy
4/16/2008 at 7:48:47 AM
46 percent of home energy used is lost. Their are very simple things we can do to minimize this. Please share your ideas too. Here are some of mine:
1. Each degree you turn down the heat saves 3 percent of heating costs, while each degree you raise the temperature of your air conditioner saves 3-4 percent of cooling costs.
2. Switch to a laptop instead of using a desktop computer and cut three-quarters off your electrical use. Turn off the laptop at the end of the day.
3. Switch to cold water washing and save 80 percent on energy used for laundry and save an estimated $60 a year. Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer and save 700 pounds of C02 a year.
4.Turn off the lights when you aren’t using them and reduce your direct lighting energy use by 45 percent.
5. Cook with a slow cooker or a toaster oven (or better a solar oven!) to reduce electrical use from kitchen appliances.
4/20/2008 at 4:26:27 PM
Thanks for the tips. My favorite was the slow cooker tip, because using a slow cooker, or crockpot, is actually healthier. Cooking at lower temperature helps retain the nutritional value in food.
I got rid of my microwave years ago and replaced it with a toster oven. The toaster oven is smaller than a conventional oven, uses no electricity when not in use (because it has no digital display) and it is healthier than a microwave.
4/22/2008 at 1:49:30 PM
Even better, get a solar cooker. Its great for warming food...is free energy...and very easy to set up. Its cooks some great dishes too. Roasted potatoes for instance.
5/5/2008 at 8:00:25 AM
A lot of people take these things you have mentioned for granted. Thank you for sharing your tips to save energy.
One tip I could share is to match the ring size on your cooker to the size of pan it is heating - you'll waste less energy. If you need to simmer something for a while, most cookers have small ring for this purpose. Whether you are using a gas stove or electric stove, you will save a great deal of energy.
7/8/2008 at 2:26:18 PM
I've done cold water washing for over a year now. I was a bit skeptical about it initially and expected the clothes perhaps not to be quite so clean with a single wash. My fears were unfounded that I'd need to wash the grimier stuff again though! The power of the detergent is sufficient whether the water's hot or cold.
One tip I'd add is don't bother buying the new detergents you see that are specifically for cold washes. Any normal one will do and usually only two thirds of the recommended amount of detergent is needed.
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