Replace thirsty outdoor plants with drought resistance varieties.
Switch to a low flow showerhead.
Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full. You can save up to 1000 gallons a month!
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time!
Check for and repair leaks.
When washing a car, wet it quickly, then use a bucket of water to wash the car. Turn on the hose to final rinse (or let mother nature wash your car when it rains).
Repair leaky toilets. Add 12 drops of food coloring into the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, your toilet is leaking.
When buying a dishwasher, select one with a "light-wash" option.
Only water the lawn when necessary. If you water your lawn and garden, only do it once a week, if rainfall isn't sufficient. Avoid watering on windy and hot days. Water the lawn and garden in the morning or late in the evening to maximize the amount of water which reaches the plant roots (otherwise most of the water will evaporate). Use soaker hoses to water gardens and flower beds.
Energy Efficiency Tips
If possible, wash your clothes in cold water.
Change your light bulbs to LEDs.
During warmer months, close blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your home to help keep your home's temperature cooler and reduce the work for you AC. Open shades during cooler months to let the sun warm your home.
Don't peek in the oven while baking! Every time you peek, the temperaturedrops 25° F, making your oven use more energy to bring the temperature back up.
Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer and as low as possible in the winter. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall heating and cooling bill will be.
Don't leave bathroom or kitchen ventilation fans running longer than necessary. They replace inside air with outside.
Refrigerators and freezers actually operate most efficiently when full, so keep your refrigerator and freezer as full as possible. Be careful about overfilling them as this will reduce airflow and cause the appliance to work harder.
Clean or replace all filters in your home regularly. Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary.
Sealing cracks, gaps, leaks, and adding insulation cansave up to 10%on home heating and cooling costs.