Conservation Tips

Electrical Conservation Tips

Set the temperature. Make sure your thermostat is set to 68 degrees in the winter and 78 or higher in the summer. Use fans in the summer to keep air circulating.
Turn off the lights. Make sure you turn lights off in rooms when you aren’t in them and use natural light as much as possible.
Seal your windows and doors. Make sure windows and doors aren’t leaking air, and seal them up if you find a leak.
Unplug appliances. Unplug things like TVs and computers when they aren’t in use.
Check the flow. Make sure HVAC vents are free from obstructions. Have your central heating and air units checked annually and change your filters regularly.
Switch the bulb. Replace your standard lights with CFLs. As a general rule, CFLs cost about 75% less to operate and last about 10 times longer.
Consider installing switch plate occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting when no one is present and back on when people return.
Consider upgrading to T8 (1″ diameter) fluorescent lamp tubes with solid-state electronic ballasts that are more efficient than older T12 (1.5″ diameter) tubes with magnetic ballasts.

Water Conservation Tips

To keep your water bill down, try taking showers rather than baths. Showers usually only use a third of the water used for baths.
Be conservative with water by plugging up the sink while you are shaving or washing; don't just leave the tap running.
Avoid keeping the water running while brushing your teeth. Instead, turn off the tap while you brush and use a glass of water to rinse with.
You can avoid wasting gallons of water by using a bowl of water instead of the tap when washing dishes.
Wait until you have a full load of laundry or dirty dishes before running the washing and dish-washing machines. If your machine has a half load button, use that when you are washing only a few items.
You can save water in the yard by covering your flowerbeds in gravel, pebbles, wood chips and other material instead of grass. These items cut water evaporation and keep the soil cooler during the summer.
Make sure the dirt is level in your flowerbeds and gardens to avoid water run-off.
Set your lawnmower blades higher during the summer. Longer blades of grass aren't as easily scorched by the sun.
During the summer, leave grass cuttings in your grass to keep additional nourishments close to the soil.
You can save water by only watering areas in your yard that really need it. Avoid watering all over.
The best time to water your yard is during early morning or evening when the sun is not at its hottest. This allows the water to seep into the soil without immediately evaporating into the air.

Use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose to wash your car. Rinse off the soap by using a watering can.