Renewable energy begins with conservation. Conserve electricity by adopting energy efficient technology and changing your behavior. In addition to educating you about conservation opportunities, ChooseRenewables™ sells best-in-class conservation products in our Renewables Store.

Adopt High Impact Technology

1. Reduce Drafts
   You may not think that those small cracks and crevices around your doors, windows, outlets, and exterior of the building are a very big deal. But, did you know that a 1/8" space between a standard exterior door and its threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole in the wall?
   
   Closing those gaps can save you up to 15 percent in heating and cooling costs. Fill gaps and reduce drafts coming from exterior walls. Seal around hoses and vents that are outside the house. And use insulation pads for outlets and switch covers that are on the outside walls.
   
   
2. Convert to Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL)
   Today's CFLs use 75% less electricity and last 10 times longer than their incandescent equivalents! They turn on instantly, produce no sound, and fall within a warm color range.
   
   You'll save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb's lifetime. Plus, they'll generate 70 percent less heat, so they're safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling. They're just better, period!
   
   Learn more about mercury in CFLs here.
   
   
3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
   Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your home's temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you're away or sleeping. They are more convenient and more accurate than manual thermostats — resulting in a more comfortable home. Save up to 33% of your annual heating/cooling costs by using a programmable thermostat. That translates to at least $150 per year in savings! Savings may vary depending on geographic region and usage. If looking for a new home, look for one that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
   
   
4. Use Low Flow Showerheads
   Advancements in fluid technology have led to new low flow showerheads that can outperform their water-guzzling counterparts. Older showerheads use up to 6 or 8 gallons per minute (gpm), yet they may still not have great pressure and performance. Today's shower heads have to meet the industry standard of 2.5 gpm. However, newer products perform well at 1.6 gpm — yielding a 36% water savings over their industry standard.
   
   Save water, save energy, and save money by using low flow technology. It's not a sacrifice — it's a smart decision!
   
   If looking for a new home, look for one that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
   
   
5. Choose the Energy Star logo
   Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. ENERGY STAR helps you make the energy efficient choice.
   
   If looking for new household products, look for ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR. They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy.
   
   If looking for a new home, look for one that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
   
   

Change Behavior

1. Unplug
   
   • Unplug seldom-used appliances, like an extra refrigerator in the basement or garage that contains just a few items. You may save around $10 every month on your utility bill.
   • Unplug your chargers when you're not charging. Every house is full of little plastic power supplies to charge cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, cordless tools and other personal gadgets. Keep them unplugged until you need them.
   • Use power strips to switch off televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos when you're not using them. Even when you think these products are off, together, their "standby" consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.
2. Set Computers to Sleep and Hibernate
   
   • Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, allowing it to use less power during periods of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found on your control panel. Mac users, look for energy saving settings under system preferences in the apple menu.
   • Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 30 minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the computer off in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on. Allowing your computer to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer from scratch.
3. Use Appliances Efficiently
   
   • Set your refrigerator temperature at 38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit; your freezer should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the power-save switch if your fridge has one, and make sure the door seals tightly. You can check this by making sure that a dollar bill closed in between the door gaskets is difficult to pull out. If it slides easily between the gaskets, replace them.
   • Don't preheat or "peek" inside the oven more than necessary. Check the seal on the oven door, and use a microwave oven for cooking or reheating small items.
   • Clean the lint filter in the dryer after each use. Dry heavy and light fabrics separately and don't add wet items to a load that's already partly dry. If available, use the moisture sensor setting. (A clothesline is the most energy-efficient clothes dryer of all!)
   • Choose a front loading washing machine. Not only does a front loading washing machine save water, it saves energy as well. It uses about 40% less water and about 50% less energy.
4. Fresh Filters
   Keep your air-conditioning and heating systems properly maintained by changing air filters and keeping air conditioner coils clean.

Sources:
U.S. Department of Energy (www.doe.gov)
U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (www.eere.energy.gov)
Energy Star (www.energystar.gov)