Recent Green Weeks:
October 24:
Turn off Electronics When They're not in Use
Or, Even Better, Unplug Them!
October 17:
Make Your Heater More Efficient
October 10:
Repair Instead of Replacing
October 3:
Program Your Thermostat
September 26:
Dispose of Prescription Drugs Safely
September 19:
Give Carpooling a Try
September 12:
Set the Water Heater to 120 Degrees
September 5:
Cook More Efficiently
August 29:
Use Cold Water for Laundry
August 22:
Find New Uses for Old Phones
August 8:
"Bee" Kind to Pollinators: Limit or Avoid Pesticide Use
August 1:
Reduce Waste: End Junk Mail!
July 25:
Encourage Pollination: Help Bees!
July 18:
Use Less Oil: Walk or Bike at Least Once this Week Instead of Driving
July 11:
Water Lawns and Outdoor Plants in the Morning or Evening Only
July 4:
Practice Safe Souvenir Buying
June 20:
Reuse Paper Scraps
June 13:
Safely Dispose of Hazardous Wastes
June 6:
Give New Life to Old Stuff
May 30:
Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners
May 23:
Find Ways to Consume Less
May 16:
Reuse your food scraps and yard waste: make compost!
May 9:
Make Sure Your Seafood's Sustainable
May 2:
Use a Low Flow Showerhead
April 25:
Reduce Weight in your Vehicle
April 18:
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
April 11:
Switch to Fluorescent Bulbs
April 4:
Buy in Bulk
March 28:
Unplug Your Appliances When They're Not in Use!
March 21:
Turn Off Your Engine Instead of Idling Your Car
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Turn off Electronics When They're not in Use
Or, Even Better, Unplug Them!
What to do:
One of the first energy-saving tips most people learn is to turn off lights when leaving a room. But in today's world, turning off the printer—or the fax, or the monitor, or the laptop—is just as important. In the average household, electronics account for as much as a fifth of total energy use, so making sure not to leave them on and idle for long periods can make for a substantial reduction in energy use.
To save even more energy, plug electronics into a power strip and turn the strip off when the devices are not in use. Even when switched to "off" appliances still use power: Unplug Your Appliances When They're not in Use!
Why it Helps the Earth:
Changing even small habits can at home can create energy savings that add up over time. And the less energy you use, the less emissions power plants create.
What the Research Says:
According to the Rocky Mountain Institute's Home Energy Brief 7, Electronics, home electronics use accounts for as much as 20 percent of the energy an average household uses. This brief also provides detailed information about how much power different devices use when set to "on, " "standby, " or "off."
Why it Helps You:
Because electricity is expensive! The Energy Brief estimates that electronics cost an average of as much as 175 dollars a year to operate. Also, running electronics less results in less wear and tear and can prolong their lives.
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Last Revision: October 25, 2010