Resources

• Turn off lights when leaving a room.
• Set thermostats to 68°F in winter when you're home, and down to 55°F when you go to bed or when you're away.
• Close heating vents in unused rooms.
• Use energy-saving settings on washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators.
• Clean your refrigerator's condenser coils once a year.
• Turn down water heater thermostat to 120°F.
• Don't waste water, hot or cold, inside or outside your home.
• Repair leaky faucets and toilets.
• More helpful tips can be found through the Regional Environmental Council website.

• Install a water-saving 2.5-gallon-per-minute showerhead ($15).
• Install water-efficient faucet heads for your kitchen and bathroom sinks ($2 each).
• Install a programmable thermostat ($26).
• In the attic and basement, plug the air leaks, and replace and re-putty broken window panes (about $20).
• Clean or change the air filter on your warm-air heating system during winter and on air conditioning units in the summer ($2).
• Install an R-7 or R-11 water heater wrap ($12).
• Insulate the first three feet of hot and inlet cold water pipes ($6).
• Install a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb in the fixtures you use the most ($2-$10).

Power your home with clean, renewable resources like the wind and sun. It's as easy as the click of a button and it will help earn funding for the city to continue its environmental programs. For more information and to sign-up, visit our Clean Energy Sign-Up page.

• Always keep your car tuned up and in good repair. We've all seen cars driving down the road that leak gas - what a waste! A poorly tuned car can use up to 25% more gas.
• Keep your tires properly inflated. This can make a huge difference in your gas mileage - up to 6% loss for every single pound your tire is under-inflated. Check your tire pressure frequently, especially if your tires have a tendency to lose pressure.
• Consider getting steel-belted radial tires, since they can pay for themselves over time. They can increase gas mileage up to 10%.
• Remove snow tires after the winter season, since they require more fuel.
• Don't carry unnecessary items in your car. Every 250 extra pounds eats up an extra mile-per-gallon; another good reason to clean out the trunk.
• Don't let your car idle, either when you warm it up or when you are at a standstill. If you're going to be standing for more than a minute, running your engine wastes more gas than restarting the engine.
• Buy gas when it's cooler during the day (like the early morning or at night) to reduce gas evaporation.
• Don't over-fill your gas tank. You don't want the gas to slosh out or evaporate.
• Slow down. Most cars are less efficient at higher speeds. You'll save 2 miles per gallon driving 55 mph rather than 65 mph. That adds up.
• Drive less. Combine errands, carpool and plot out your route beforehand to avoid backtracking whenever possible.
• Develop good driving habits. For example, accelerate gently, maintain a steady speed rather than speeding up and slowing down and avoid slamming on the brakes.
• Keep your windows closed when driving on the highway. Open windows can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 10%. In stop-and-go traffic, open the windows and turn off the air conditioning to save money.
• Rent fuel-efficient cars when you travel. Research and find reasonably priced places to buy gas before you leave, especially if you'll be driving a lot.
• Consider buying a car that gets better gas mileage when you choose your next car. This can save you a great deal of money over time.