> 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 Home – Reduce Toxicity
>
> Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers).
> Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals.
> Buy the right amount of paint for the job.
> Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.
> When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result.
> If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off.
> Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
> Have your home tested for radon.
> Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.
>
> In Your Yard
>
> Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment.
> Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one.
> Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the soil.
> Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion.
> Use only the required amount of fertilizer.
> Minimize pesticide use.
> Create a wildlife habitat in your yard.
> Water grass early in the morning.
> Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that are seldom used.
> Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide).
> Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.
>
> 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.
>
> Ways To Protect Our Air
>
> Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
> Recycle printer cartridges.
> Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
> Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
> Don't use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor.
> Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution.
> Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood.
> Use solar power for home and water heating.
> Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
> Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.
> Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.
> Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid.
> If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning.
> Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.
> Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.
>
>
> Ways to Use Less Water
>
> Check and fix any water leaks.
> Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets.
> Don't wash dishes with the water running continuously.
> Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.
> Follow your community's water use restrictions or guidelines.
> Install a low-flow shower head.
> Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.
> Turn off washing machine's water supply to prevent leaks.
>
> Ways to Protect Our Water
>
> Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.
> Never dump anything down a storm drain.
> Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
> Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil.
> Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
> Learn about your watershed.
>
>
> Create Less Trash
>
> Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
> Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
> Buy products that you can reuse.
> Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
> Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
> Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
> Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
> Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
> Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
> Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
> Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
> Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material.
> Compost your vegetable scraps.
> Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.
>
> 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 Home – Reduce Toxicity
>
> Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers).
> Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals.
> Buy the right amount of paint for the job.
> Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease.
> When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result.
> If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off.
> Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.
> Have your home tested for radon.
> Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.
>
> In Your Yard
>
> Avoid using leaf blowers and other dust-producing equipment.
> Use an electric lawn- mower instead of a gas-powered one.
> Leave grass clippings on the yard-they decompose and return nutrients to the soil.
> Use recycled wood chips as mulch to keep weeds down, retain moisture and prevent erosion.
> Use only the required amount of fertilizer.
> Minimize pesticide use.
> Create a wildlife habitat in your yard.
> Water grass early in the morning.
> Rent or borrow items like ladders, chain saws, party decorations and others that are seldom used.
> Take actions that use non hazardous components (e.g., to ward off pests, plant marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticide).
> Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.
>
> 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.
>
> Ways To Protect Our Air
>
> Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
> Recycle printer cartridges.
> Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
> Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
> Don't use your wood stove or fireplace when air quality is poor.
> Avoid slow-burning, smoldering fires. They produce the largest amount of pollution.
> Burn seasoned wood - it burns cleaner than green wood.
> Use solar power for home and water heating.
> Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
> Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.
> Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.
> Ignite charcoal barbecues with an electric probe or other alternative to lighter fluid.
> If you use a wood stove, use one sold after 1990. They are required to meet federal emissions standards and are more efficient and cleaner burning.
> Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible.
> Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.
>
>
> Ways to Use Less Water
>
> Check and fix any water leaks.
> Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets.
> Don't wash dishes with the water running continuously.
> Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes.
> Follow your community's water use restrictions or guidelines.
> Install a low-flow shower head.
> Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.
> Turn off washing machine's water supply to prevent leaks.
>
> Ways to Protect Our Water
>
> Revegetate or mulch disturbed soil as soon as possible.
> Never dump anything down a storm drain.
> Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.
> Check your car for oil or other leaks, and recycle motor oil.
> Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.
> Learn about your watershed.
>
>
> Create Less Trash
>
> Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
> Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
> Buy products that you can reuse.
> Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
> Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
> Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
> Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
> Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
> Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
> Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
> Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
> Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material.
> Compost your vegetable scraps.
> Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.
