subjective-sky: 09-09-09 on Nine Mile Run to the Monongahela River

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Energy/Environment Savings Tips

Don't throw it away. Instead compost it, reuse it, or recycle it. Construction Junction, www.constructionjunction.org/ (Pittsburgh) even takes junk mail and magazines.
Use a programmable thermostat, and put the temperature on a cool "hold" temperature when heat is not needed for long periods of time.
Only use as bright a bulb as you need, replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, or better yet, with LED bulbs. Note there is a small amount of mercury in the CF bulbs, so look for proper disposal. However, there is also mercury released from coal plants, so reducing your electric use reduces mercury.
Check the Energy Star rating of new appliances, particularly refrigerators, and buy the more efficient models.
Unplug appliances when not in use. Microwaves, electronic equipment, kitchen appliances draw energy even when off. If the transformer is warm or there are lights or displays on, then it is drawing energy. Plugging into a powerstrip and turning it off is another method to save.
Trade in your car for one that gets better mileage (regardless of the technology used), a hybrid (particularly for city driving), or an electric (particularly if you only go short distances). Go to www.zapworld.com for electric cars.
Change your utility provider source to renewable/nonpolluting sources (e.g. wind, solar, hydro, instead of coal, oil, gas). Go to www.cleanyourair.org.