•Clean without cleaning out your wallet. Cut related utility bills up to 30 percent with an ENERGY STAR washing machine. A washer with the ENERGY STAR label -- the government's symbol of energy efficiency -- uses about half the energy that a ten-year-old model consumes. You will save up to $120 a year on combined water and energy bills. ENERGY STAR washers, available in both top and front-loading models, use much less water -- 18 to 25 gallons per load, compared to 40.
•Switch to cold water. Washing of laundry in top loading, energy-inefficient washing machines will save up to $63 a year; detergents formulated for cold water get clothes just as clean.
•Use an ENERGY STAR dishwasher. Compared to conventional models, it uses 25 percent less hot water and energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption. You will save up to $100 on combined water and energy bills over the lifetime of the machine.
•Load 'em up! For additional savings, do full loads of clothes and dishes. Most of the energy used by dishwashers is to heat a set amount of water, so running smaller loads wastes both energy and water. Air dry dishes for added savings.
•Use a high-efficiency water heater. Approximately 15 percent of home energy use goes to heat water. A high-efficiency unit may use 10 to 50 percent less energy than some conventional models. For additional savings, insulate the water heater and hot water pipes with approved insulation materials, and turn down the thermostat to 120 degrees.
•Go with the flow. To reduce water usage, use a low flow shower head, it saves up to five gallons a minute. Take showers vs. baths. Take shorter showers vs. longer showers.
•Don't be a drip. Fix drippy, leaky faucets and toilets. Small leaks can add up and create a river of waste. A leaky toilet can waste up to 52,800 gallons a year. Replace old faucet aerators. Newer models use less water and provide more water pressure. Consider water-saving faucet attachments. Also check for leaks in pipes, hoses, and couplings.
•Fill your toilet tank. Place a plastic bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to save approximately 11 gallons of water per day.
•Switch up your routine. Move your laundry and dish washing to off-peak energy demand hours to increase electricity reliability during heat waves.
•Know when to turn it on - and off. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth and save four gallons a minute. Turn off the water when you shave/shampoo.
•Recycling isn't just for trash. Don't let water go down the drain when there may be another use for it. Collect rainwater, water used to wash off fruits and vegetables, and water from cleaning your fish tank, and reuse it to water plants. Connect gutter downspouts to rain-barrels or direct them to trees or plants.
Saving Water Outdoors
•Drop the hose. Use a broom or sweeper instead of a hose to clean the garage, driveway, or sidewalk.
•Let it grow. Longer grass will reduce the loss of water to evaporation. Mowing too often requires more water.
•Reap what you sow. Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation. Plant during spring or fall when watering requirements are lower. Water earlier or later in the day when temperatures are lower. Choose lower maintenance plants.
•Check your sprinklers. Adjust sprinklers to properly water lawns and plants, and so they don't hit the pavement or your driveway.
•Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle. Don't let the water run in-between filling up your water can. Use a bucket of water and a sponge to wash your car instead of letting the hose run.
For more great energy saving tips, visit www.ase.org/consumers.Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, www.sixdegreechallenge.org
