10 Low- to No-Cost Ways to Save Energy on Energy Efficiency Day, and Every Day!
October 2, 2019 is Energy Efficiency Day. To celebrate, we’ve put together a list of 10 of our favorite low- to no-cost ways to save energy – today, and every day!
1. Hang Dry Your Clothes – Clothes dryers user loads of energy. According to energy.gov, clothes dryers use more energy than most other major household appliances. To save energy in the laundry room, consider air drying when possible. If hang drying isn’t an option, try using dryer balls to boost your dryer’s efficiency, and be sure to clean out the lint trap between each load.
2. Weatherize – The leaves are changing and winter will be close behind, don’t let your energy bill fall victim to the drop in temperature. Seal leaks around windows, doors, outlets, and pipes; cover inefficient windows with insulating film; and open the shades to let the sun in for natural warmth.
3. Program your Thermostat – If you have a programable thermostat, try setting it to 68°F when you’re home, and much lower when you’re away or sleeping. This will save you money on your energy bill and you’ll avoid wasting energy heating an empty home.
4. Carpool – Do you and another household member have a similar schedule? Are there multiple kids in the neighborhood that go to the same school and don’t ride the bus? Try ride sharing!
5. Use Public Transportation – Speaking of carpooling, public transportation is the ultimate form of ride sharing. Today’s technology makes using public transportation easier than ever. Just use your favorite navigation app to get directions to your destination via public transportation and voila! Public transportation is great for daily commutes and super helpful when visiting new places, so you don’t have to rent a car.
6. Go on Foot – Do you live close to your work, school, or the grocery store? If you are able, try walking! When you walk instead of drive or ride, you help reduce harmful emissions and save energy.
7. Snuggle Up – Get cozy! Saving energy is so cool it’s ice cold, but you don’t have to be. Put on another layer of clothes, use more blankets, and snuggle up with family or pets to keep each other warm.
8. Unplug – Pick one day a week where the whole family unplugs from their devices and spend quality time together with activities that use less energy. Turn off the TV and play a board game, put down the video game controllers and grab a book, or drop everything and head to the park. And don’t leave devices plugged in if they are not in use – that phone charger is still using electricity, even if it’s not actively charging a device.
9. Go Electric – This may not seem like a small or low- to no-cost option at first glance, but if you currently own a car or are thinking about purchasing a new one, you could save money by going electric. Electric vehicles are cheaper to fuel and maintain than standard vehicles – and with significant advances in range, an increase in options, and a variety of available incentives, there’s no better time to go electric.
10. Opt in to Renewables – Many utility providers offer programs that allow consumers to choose electricity powered by renewable resources like wind, solar, hydro, and others. Check with your utility provider to see if opting in to renewable energy is an option for you.
“Climate change poses the greatest threat to Oregon’s environment, economy, and our way of life. Future generations will judge us not on the facts of global climate change, but what we’ve done to tackle it." – Governor Kate Brown
Oregon is already feeling the negative effects of climate change, and human activities are a major contributor. According to our 2018 Biennial Energy Report, about 80 percent of GHG emissions in Oregon come from daily energy use. When individuals make small changes to save energy, it can go a long way – and collectively, make a powerful difference.
Lead the charge! Share this post on social using #EEDay2019 and let everyone know some of your favorite ways to be energy efficient.