These 13 steps can help you save money on utility bills, conserve energy and reduce waste.
- Check your attic for adequate insulation, and consider wrapping the water heater with an insulation blanket. Adding insulation can cut utility costs.
- If acceptable to you, set your thermostat at 68° F (20° C) when heating a home and 78° F (26° C) when using air-conditioning. You can save significant amounts of energy if you are willing to wear more clothing in the winter and less in the summer until you learn to adjust to the new settings.
- Take care of large appliances. Check the seal around the door of your refrigerator and freezer and make sure it is properly tight. Replace regularly the filter on your furnace and air conditioner. Draw a gallon of water from the spigot located at the bottom of most water heaters to drain off mineral buildup.
- Turn off appliances — especially computers — when not in use.
- Use more efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs or LEDs in place of regular bulbs. Such bulbs are improving and last much longer than incandescent bulbs. Remember to turn off lights when not in use.
- Use water-efficient sink faucets and showerheads. Try to reduce water usage — take shorter showers and don’t run water continually when rinsing dishes or brushing teeth.
- Water lawns early in the morning because the heat of the day evaporates 20 to 30 percent of your water. Also, a lawn actually uses less water if it isn’t cut short. Longer blades shade the turf.
- Consider changes to your landscape design. Native grass and plants can decrease dependency on heavy watering and deciduous trees can provide summer shade and reduce air-conditioning costs.
- Whenever possible, walk to church meetings, to school, and to work. Consider using public transportation, carpooling and riding a bicycle. Maintain proper air pressure in your automobile tires to improve fuel efficiency, and try not to idle your car more than 15 seconds; that will reduce gas use, engine wear and pollution.
- Think of ways to reduce wasteful consumption. Try reusable bags for shopping, and reuse zip-lock bags, sandwich bags and any reusable plastic packaging. A refillable bottle for water is an excellent alternative to bottled water and other prepackaged drinks and plastic or paper cups. Plan family, neighborhood and other activities that will reduce paper waste.
- Grow a garden on your own property or think of starting a community garden. Consider canning and storing the fruits and vegetables you grow, and, where possible, support local food producers. Being more self-sufficient with food reduces energy consumption associated with the production and transportation of pre-packaged foods.
- Support community recycling programs. Recycle paper, plastic and metal at home, work, and church. This will dramatically reduce garbage waste. Where available, use recycled products.
- Check with your local utility company, local community groups or on the Internet to find suggestions to conserve energy and to recycle. Some utility companies will conduct an energy audit for free or for a modest fee. The audit will show what kinds of inexpensive repairs you can make around your home to cut down on your utility bills. In locations where you can choose your own utility company, select one with sound conservation practices.
Some of these tips originally appeared in this article by Jerry Mason in the September 1998 Ensign.