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ELECTRICITY AND WATER SAVING TIPS:

 Lighting Tips

• Exterior lighting is one of the best places to use candescent florescent lamps because of their long life. If you live in a cold climate, be sure to buy a lamp with a cold-weather ballast.
• Turn off lights that are not needed, like in unused rooms.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with new, energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.
• Replace all bulbs with lowest acceptable wattages.
• Use timers or motion detectors on lamps that are used for security lighting.
• Use natural daylight as much as possible.
• When possible, use one large bulb rather than several smaller ones.
• Clean your light bulbs regularly, since dirt diffuses light, decreasing illumination.

Cooling Tips

• Keep your thermostat set at 78 degree Fahrenheit; or higher, and on "auto," not "on." Each degree can mean up to 9% savings on cooling costs.
• If your central or room air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it could be doubling your cooling costs.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate air. They use about as much electricity as a light bulb and can make you feel comfortable at higher thermostat settings. Oh, and do not forget to turn fans off when you leave the room.
• Clean or replace your air conditioner filter monthly so your A/C runs efficiently.
• Plan ahead! Schedule heat-producing activities like laundry, ironing, and cooking at cooler times of day when possible.
• Turn off lights when not needed, especially incandescent and halogen types.
• Be aware of temperatures! If it's cooler inside than outside, then close all windows and drapes. If it's cooler outside, open everything up to ventilate and let the outside air cool your house.
• Use drapes, shades, awnings and reflective materials to reduce the heat entering through glass.
• Use room exhaust fans in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom to pull hot, humid air up and out.
• Apply weather stripping and caulking around all doors and windows to keep the chilled air inside your house.
• Install a setback thermostat (Clock thermostat) that automatically switches your air conditioner to a higher cooling setting while you are away.

Cooking Tips

• Use your microwave oven in place of your range oven whenever possible.
• When you have to use your oven, cook more than one item at a time.
• Use flat-bottom pans for best contact with the heat, with tight-fitting lids to keep the steam in the pan.
• Clean or replace your air conditioner filter monthly so your A/C runs efficiently.
• Use smaller amounts of water for cooking; use the lowest possible heat to maintain boiling or steaming.
• Preheat oven only 5 to 8 minutes when baking; do not preheat oven for broiling or roasting.
• Self-cleaning ovens have thicker insulation and will retain heat, making these models more energy-efficient than regular ovens.
• Use the self-cleaning feature on your oven only when absolutely needed.
• Pressure cookers use much less energy than ordinary pots and pans.
• Use small cooking appliances (electric fry pans, toaster ovens, etc.) whenever possible.

Refrigeration / Freezing Tips

• Keep your refrigerator temperature at 38 degree Fahrenheit.
• Freezer temperature should be maintained at 10 degree Fahrenheit.
• Defrost your freezer when ice or frost buildup is 1/4" or thicker.
• Check your refrigerator/freezer door gasket periodically for signs of deterioration.
• Vacuum or brush the cooling coils (in back) at least every six months.
• Allow hot food to cool for no longer than a half hour before placing in refrigerator.

Toilet Tips

• Toilets can account for almost 30% of all indoor water use. More than any other fixture or appliance.
• Older toilets (installed prior to 1994) use 3.5 to 7 gallons (13-27 liters) of water per flush and as much as 20 gallons (76 liters) per person per day.
• Replacing an old toilet with a new model can save the typical household 7,900 to 21,700 gallons (29,902 - 82,135 liters) of water per year, cutting both your water and wastewater bills.
• An average of 20% of toilets leak.
• Install an ultra low-flow toilet that requires only 1.6 gallons (6 liters) per flush.
• To ensure optimal performance, when installing a low-flow toilet in areas with a low drainage gradient (such as basements), consider a pressurized model.
• Check toilets periodically for leaks and repair them promptly.
• Reduce the amount of water used by an older toilet by placing a one gallon plastic jug of water, or two one quart bottles, in the tank to displace toilet flows. Or you can install a "dam" that partitions off a section of the tank so it can't fill with water. These methods can save over 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water per person per year.
• Don't use the toilet as a trash can.
• General Watering
• Water before 8 A.M. or after 6 P.M. and avoid watering on windy days.
• Water in several short sessions rather than one long one. For example, three ten minute sessions spaced 30 minutes to an hour apart will allow your lawn to better absorb moisture than one straight 30 minute session.
• Only water when your lawn is thirsty. Over watering promotes shallow root growth making your lawn less hardy. (To determine if your lawn needs to be watered, simply walk across the grass. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.)
• Install moisture sensors in each irrigation zone (sunny, shady, etc.) to better determine irrigation needs.

Sprinklers/Sprinkler Systems

• Check sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good repair.
• Adjust the timer on automatic sprinklers according to seasonal water demands and weather conditions.
• Install a rain shutoff device on automatic sprinklers to eliminate unneeded applications.
• Make sure your sprinkler is placed so it only water the lawn, not the pavement.
• Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist, which increases evaporation.

Drip Irrigation

• Install a drip irrigation system for watering gardens, trees and shrubs. Drip irrigation provides a slow, steady trickle of water to plants at their roots through a network of hidden pipes and hoses. The systems are regulated by a controller that can be adjusted for different levels of watering according to the needs of the plants. Drip irrigation systems reduce over watering, inefficient watering, weed growth, and the time and labor involved in hand watering.
• As much as 30% of water can be lost to evaporation by watering the lawn during midday. Homes with in-ground sprinkler systems use 35% more water outdoors than those who do not have an in-ground system. One reason may be that system controllers are not adjusted according to seasonal irrigation needs.

Landscaping Tips

• Maintain a lawn height of 2 1/2 to 3 inches to help protect the roots from heat stress and reduce the loss of moisture to evaporation.

• A void planting turf in areas that are difficult to irrigate properly such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.

• Aerate clay soils at least once a year to help the soil retain moisture.

• Promote deep root growth through a combination of proper watering, aerating, appropriate fertilization, thatch (grass clippings) control, and attention to lawn height. A lawn with deep roots requires less water and is more resistant to drought and disease.

• Mulch around plants, bushes and trees to help the soil retain moisture, discourage the growth of weeds, and provide essential nutrients.

• Plant in the spring or fall, when watering requirements are lower.

• When choosing plants, keep in mind that smaller ones require less water to become established.

• Collect rain water in a barrel and use it to water your garden (please note, this is not a legal practice in all areas).

• Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.

• Landscaping account for 20-25% of all residential water use and provides the best opportunity for water conservation at home.

General Outdoor Tips

• Wash your car with a bucket of soapy water and use a nozzle to stop the flow of water from the hose between rinsing.

• Clean driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of the hose.

• Check for leaks in outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses.

• Prevent the creation of leaks by shutting off and draining water lines to outside spigots in the winter.

• Cover your spa or pool to reduce evaporation. An average size pool left uncovered can lose as much as 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water per month.

•  Also, check your spa/pool for leaks and have them repaired promptly.