12 Conservation Tips

by ZooNooz of San Diego

Bundle Up ... by wrapping your water heater in an insulating jacket along with putting a timer on the water heater. Set the water heater thermostat to no hotter than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Change heating and cooling filters every month so they run efficiently and use less power. Caulk and weather strip around doors and windows to keep indoor temperatures steady. 

Energy Efficient Appliances ... reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Look for Energy Star labels when shopping for new appliances. Purchase renewable energy - if your utility company doesn't offer it, ask them to provide an option.

Reduce your fuel emissions ... walk, bike, or take public transportation to work and/or to do shopping and errands at least two days each week. If you travel by airplane often, consider participating in a carbon offset program.

Savings by the yard ... use a push-mower to cut your lawn. Not only will it be great for getting into better shape, it will give you some extra time outdoors. Using a gas-powered mower for 1 hour pollutes the atmosphere as much as driving your car 20 miles! Use yard lights powered by solar.

Plant native shrubs ... shrubs, flowers, and ground cover to minimize water and pesticide use. Plant trees to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. consider planting shade trees to help keep your house cool during the hot summer months.

Become a "loca-vore" ... choosing locally grown food reduces emissions, because it hasn't been trucked as far. Consider vegetarian meals - they require fewer forests to be cleared for livestock, and trees remove heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Banish energy vampires ... unplug lights, chargers, and electrical equipment when you aren't using them. Put your appliances on a surge protector switch that can conveniently and easily turned on/off. use compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs in home lighting fixtures.

Save on water ... a low energy washing machine can save 700 gallons of water per year. Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot to reduce emissions. then skip the dryer and hang your laundry on a clothesline - air and sunshine are plentiful and emission free. Washing your car with a bucket and an on/off handle on your garden hose.

Recycling ... computers, stereos, cell phones, small appliances, and batteries that are recycled help to reduce the need for mining heavy metals (mining adds carbon to the atmosphere). Go and visit your local recycling center. You can usually recycle cell phones at both your local zoo or wild animal park ... as wall as have a great day with the family.

Paper or plastic ... how about neither - bring your own cloth grocery bags to the store and purchase items with the least amount of packaging. Recycle cans, bottles, cardboard, and plastics prevents the need to manufacture new materials and cuts a home's carbon footprint by 850 pounds per year.

Don't trash it ... compost organic materials like vegetable and fruit peelings and rinds, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and egg shells or create a worm bin. Reducing your garbage by 25 percent will reduce emissions by 1,000 pounds per year.

Invest in a hybrid ... new or used hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicles are now readily available. You can get more than 48 miles to the gallon. Also, keep your car tuned up and its tires properly inflated to use less fuel and reduce emissions.