Take Action in your Personal Life

There are many ways you can reduce your energy use and live a greener life.
Begin here:  REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE

Buy less

avoid wasteful packaging

buy reusable items

keep durable goods

Compost (According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), organic materials that could be composted form approximately one-third of the waste in U.S. landfills. For more information about composting, click here.

Stop junk mail (For more information,click here.

Go paperless

GO GREEN IN  YOUR HOME

Use Less Energy

Turn off lights

Turn off Computers

Unplug Electronics

Change the thermostat (set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in summer and at 68 degrees or lower in winter)

Window coverings

Wash in cold water

Air Dry clothing

Wait for Full Loads

Reset Water Heaters

Use Fans (install ENERGY STAR ceiling fans)

Replace Light Bulbs

Save Water

Repair leaking toilets

Adjust toilet float valves

Install low-flow toilets

Take shorter showers

Install Low-flow shower heads

Turn off water while brushing teeth, shaving or hand washing dishes.

Weatherproof your Home

Use caulk and weather stripping to seal windows, doors, baseboards, and floorboards

Use caulk and roof cement to seal attic vent pipes.

Wrap pipes to protect against freezing

Insulate electrical outlets and light switches on exterior walls.

Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning.

GO GREEN IN YOUR WORKPLACE

Change printing habits (print on both sides of paper. Use draft mode to print in black and white instead of color when feasible)

Recycle at work

Reuse office supplies

Improve lighting

Invest in ENERGY STAR computers, printers, and other business machines

Reduce Trash (bring own reusable coffee mug to work)

Share a ride (consider carpooling, biking, walking, telecommuting or public transportation

GREEN YOUR RIDE

Watch your speed (Gas mileage lowers most rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.)

Avoid idling

Maintain your vehicle

Take care of tires

Plan errands (Combine errands in one trip)

Alternate transportation (Carpool, walk, bike)

PLANT A TREE

If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

GET A REPORT CARD FROM YOUR UTILITY COMPANY

Many utility companies provide free home energy audits to help you identify areas in your home that many not be energy efficient. Go to your utility website to find out more.

CALCULATE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Go to our Carbon Calculator page to find out more.