The following are energy saving techniques that all of us can do to positively impact not only our wallets but the environment as well.  These actions may seem small and even silly at times, but if these actions are initiated on a massive scale, the economic and environmental savings would truly be huge.  As an educator and environmental activist, I ask that you take some time to look over these ideas.  One does not need to initiate all of the ideas proposed; even one or two of the done by each individual will have a positive impact and will allow progress towards more sustainable development.  I will be adding a new idea each week, and I welcome any comments or ideas that have been successful on your end.  Remember, think globally, act locally, and never forget that small-scale changes initiated by the masses can truly have large-scale impacts on both our economy and the environment.

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Automobiles     Electronics     Households     Water Conservation
 

Automobiles

Most of us have a 15 or 20 gallon tank. Each gallon of gas weighs about 7 lbs. A full tank is the equivalent of carrying a slight adult around all week.  This measurably reduces mileage, especially in city traffic.  Filling up halfway means you aren't hauling fuel around that you're not using (or at least less of it).  About 115 million Americans commute to work each week.  If we all fill up, that means that collectively we haul an excess of 6 BILLION pounds of fuel.  We're burning fuel to haul fuel.  This assumes a 15 gallon tank, divided by 2 = 7.5, at 7 lbs per gallon.  Again, each of us individually can make a big difference working together.

Electronics

Average Usage: 200 kWh & 188 lbs CO₂ per year;
Efficient Usage: 150 kWh & 141 lbs CO₂ per year

Leaking electricity from TVs an VCRs costs Americans millions each year, nationally, leaks cost about $750 million a year for TVs, and about $600 million a year for VCRs.  To avoid the leaking of electricity, either unplug your TV when it's not in use, or plug it into a power strip that can be switched off.

If you plan to buy a new TV or VCR, think about one of the low-leak versions now on the market.  Look for the "Energy Star" logo when purchasing your new TV or VCR.

Remember, peripherals like Cable Boxes, WebTV, Digital Satellite Systems, DVD players, ect., also leak electricity.
 

Households

Purachisng Information

Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. This will typically save $1 per bulb changed out (for bulbs running 4-6 hours per day) and reduce heat in your home. Regular bulbs use most of the electricity to generate heat so use care when changing bulbs.

Source: Sierra Pacific

Average Usage: 900 KWh, 850 lbs CO₂
Efficient Usage: 450 KWh, 425 LBS CO₂

Standard incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a filament until it glows.  A full 90% of the energy used to power an incandescent bulb goes into heat, making these bulbs the least efficient on the market.  "Compact fluorescent bulbs" produce light because they are filled with a gas that glows when electricity passes through.  They are three to four times more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and have an impressive longevity:  While incandescent bulbs last 750-900 hours, compact fluorescents have a life-expectancy closer to 10,000 hours.
Turn off your lights when you don't need them.
Dust your light to maximize their brightness.
Install dimmer switches to control how brightly they burn.
Use light-colored lamp shades.

Source: PBS/NOVA -- Your Carbon Diet
 

Water Conservation

Install low-flow showerheads. They're cheap, easy to install, and can save hundreds of gallons a week
Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when full. You could save 1,000 gallons a month
Turn off water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute - that's 10,000 gallons a year for a family of four.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk. You could save up to 80 gallons of water every time.

Source: Earth Share