 |
 |
  |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Energy Saving TipsEnergy Saving Tip #2Replace or clean cooling system filters and vents in home heating and cooling equipment. Why: Regardless of what kind of heating or air conditioning system you own, routine maintenance will improve your comfort and save energy around the home. By regularly changing and cleaning air filters in your home's heating and cooling system, you will help them perform more efficiently. More information: Energy Saving Tip #3Home energy use produces twice as much pollution as your car. Why: Making your home more energy-efficient helps to reduce air pollution and prevent global warming. The average house is responsible for twice the greenhouse gas emissions as the average car, annually (22,000 lbs. vs. 11,500 lbs). That's because every time you flip on a light switch, run your dishwasher or turn on your air conditioner or furnace, you use energy, which means more pollution from power plants. The more energy we save at home, the more we can help protect the environment. More information: Energy Saving Tip #4Turn off or unplug unused electrical appliances. Why: The average use of energy in homes PER PERSON (every man, woman and child) has increased a total of 45% between 1990 and 2004. While equipment and appliances may be more energy efficient, we have MORE of them. That adds up. When you are not using an electrical appliance, please turn it off and, if possible, unplug it. More information Energy Saving Tip #5The type of air conditioning unit and space being cooled are as important as the temperature setting. Why: A larger air conditioning unit may run for a shorter period of time, but it will also use more energy. A proper-sized air conditioning unit will also provide a comfortable balance of temperature and humidity. Set your thermostat to the highest temperature at which you are comfortable. A range between 75-78ºF keeps most people comfortable. More information: Energy Saving Tip #6ENERGY STAR labeled products save money on utility bills and help reduce greenhouse gas. Why: Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) provide high-quality light using smart technology and design. CFLs use one fourth to one third the energy than typical incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Generating electricity for lights creates greenhouse gas emissions. Lower your bill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Replace your incandescent bulbs at home with CFLs. More information: Energy Saving Tip #7Ceiling fans help save energy and improve comfort in winter and summer. Why: During winter, run them clockwise (upward motion) at a low speed, to circulate heat that gathers near the ceiling. In summer, or in hot climates, run them counterclockwise (or downward) to cool. Most fans have a switch to reverse the spin. When cooling, always turn off your ceiling fan when you leave the room, just as you do your lights (a fan only cools you, not a room, by creating a "wind-chill effect"). More information: Additional Energy Saving TipsEnergy Saving Tip #8Pull electrical plugs or turn off power strips on "vampire" appliances to reduce energy costs. Why: "Energy vampire" is a term that some people use. They use it to describe an electrical appliance that keeps on using electricity - energy - even after you hit the "off" switch. For example, when you turn off the TV, it stays in a "standby" mode. This lets it come on right away when you turn it back on again. Energy vampires eat up about 5 percent of all the electricity used in the United States, equal to an extra electrical bill of more than $3 billion a year. How to stop an energy vampire: Pull the plug or use a power strip to turn it off that way. More information:
Energy Saving Tip #9Driving less than 60 miles per hour saves fuel. Why: While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional 20 cents per gallon for gas. More information: Energy Saving Tip #10Reduce vehicle miles traveled; walk, bike and take public transportation to reduce air pollution. Why: The average number of miles driven PER PERSON has increased a total of 36% in the past 15 years. This is adding to air pollution. Incidents of asthma and other respiratory conditions have also dramatically increased in the San Diego region. Plan your trips so that you can reduce miles traveled, and walk, bike and/or use public transit. More information: Energy Saving Tip #11Many factors affect the fuel economy of your car. To improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, go easy on the brakes and gas pedal, avoid hard accelerations, reduce time spent idling and unload unnecessary items in your trunk to reduce weight. If you have a removable roof rack and you are not using it, take it off to improve your fuel economy by as much as 5 percent. More information: Energy Saving Tip #12When running errands, combine trips. Several short trips taken while your car's engine is cold can use twice as much fuel and produce twice the amount of greenhouse gas emissions as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. More information: |
|
|
| | Home | Business | City Hall | Community | Departments | Information | Leisure | Services A-Z | Visiting | |
| | Search | Site Map | Contact the City | Privacy Notice | Disclaimers | |
