Ways to Save Environment

In Your Home – Conserve Energy

Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month.

If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.

Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120.

Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket.

Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.

Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.

Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 .

When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.

Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.

Unplug seldom used appliances.

Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove.

Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.

Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended.

Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.

Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models.

Only use electric appliances when you need them.

Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.

Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer.

Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away.

Insulate your home as best as you can.

Install weather stripping around all doors and windows.

Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.

Plant trees to shade your home.

Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means.

Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.

Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible.

Connect your outdoor lights to a timer.

Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities (NC Greenpower for North Carolina - www.ncgreenpower.org). In your home-reduce toxicity.

In Your Office

Copy and print on both sides of paper.

Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.

Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.Use mailer sheets for interoffice mail instead of an envelope.

Set up a bulletin board for memos instead of sending a copy to each employee.

Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence.

Use recycled paper.

Use discarded paper for scrap paper.

Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic.

Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.