10 Easy Ways to Conserve Energy

In your car:

• Have your car tuned regularly. An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of one mile per gallon.
• Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to one mile per gallon.
• Slow down. Driving 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuewl economy by about 2 miles per gallon.
• Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.
• Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns, and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 2 miles per gallon.
• Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn your engine off when you are delayed for more than a few minutes.
• Plan trips carefully. Combine short trips into one to do all of your errands.
• Air Conditioning & Windows. The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2 miles per gallon under certain speeds & operating conditions. In stop & go traffic, shutting off the AC and opening the windows can lighten your fuel use. AC can lower your fuel economy by 10% to 20%. However, at highway speeds, keep windows closed. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
• Could you walk or bike? Just burn calories. Pay attention to why, where, and when you drive.
• No rough stuff: Riding on dirt or gravel will rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

At Home:

• Set your thermostat to save power. Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature of your home while you are sleeping or away. You may be able to save as much as $100 each year.
• Change your light bulbs to new energy efficient models.
• Letting sunlight in by opening curtains, blinds & shades over windows facing the sun helps you keep your home warm & reduces heating needs. At night or when the sky is overcast, keeping drapes and curtains closed will help keep the warmth indoors. And vice-versa for warm days to keep your home cool.
• Regular maintenance will insure that your air conditioner operates efficiently throughout the summer. Check the filter once a month by holding it up to a bright light. If you can't see through it, replace it or clean it.
• 90% of the energy your washer uses goes towards heating water. You can save energy dollars by using hot water only for heavily solied laundry.
• Remember to check the lint filter before each load. Lint buildups block air flow & lengthen drying time, costing you energy dollars.
• A microwave oven is an energy efficient alternative to a conventional oven. It cooks more quickly and it uses 70-80% less electricity than a regular oven.

Information gather from: http://www.chevron.com/, http://www.treehugger.com/, http://www.reupower.com/.