That Old Fridge... it's all good.

Just make the call... And remember to look for Energy Star when getting a new appliance!

WAIT! ...now preheat.

Most baking instructions tell you to preheat your oven. Never do so more than ten minutes. If everybody reduced their oven time by an hour per year, we'd save enough energy to bake a billion cookies. That's A LOT of cookies....

Make sure it's off!

If just 10 percent of U.S. households attached shut off nozzles to their outdoor hoses, we'd save enough water to fill over 128,000 bathtubes.... EVERYDAY!

Find Out If Solar Makes Sense!!

HOW COOL IS THIS?!? Really Cool!

Check out the website: http://solarmap.lacounty.gov/

Enter your address, and you will get a customized recommendation on whether or not it makes sense to install Solar Panels on your roof for energy or for heating water!

Check it out!!

Simple Water Conservation at Home...

1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks.

A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.

2. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks.

Read the house meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

3. Put plastic bottles in your toilet tank.

Put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms. This may save ten or more gallons of water per day.

If you have a lawn, one easy way to save water!

If you have a lawn...

Save water by adjusting your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.

Isn't that easy?

Drive GREENER

Give your air-conditioning some help!

Park in the shade when possible, and cool down your hot car by driving with the windows down before turning on the air-conditioner. Over time these practices can result in a much smaller workload for your AC - and significant energy savings.

Shade that Air Conditioning Unit!

Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but do not block airflow.

And/or, if possible, place your air conditioning unit on the north side of the house.

A unit operating in shade uses as much as 10 percent less electricity than the same one operating in the sun!

Turn that Thermostat Down at Night!

In the winter, turn your thermostat down at night.

You can save 3 percent on your heating bill for every degree you turn it down. WOW. Break out the flannel pj's!!

Cutting Power to Devices Not in Use!

A New York-based company, ThinkEco, has developed the "Modlet", a modern 2-plug outlet that automatically cuts power to plugged-in devises when not in use. The modlet goes on sale to consumers next year and will retail for approximately $40. For more information, visit www.thinkeco.com!

Walk, don't Drive!!

Yes, one fun measure of how "green" your home is is how "walkable" it is. Check out this cool website, www.walkscore.com, and find out how "walkable" your home is, or other neighborhoods are! And then.... get out and walk to stuff! Leave the car in the garage!

Easy Tip - Clean the Coils!

Dirty coils on the back or bottom front of your refrigerator can make your appliance work harder than necessary. (Translation - cost you more money in energy usage.) Check and clean your coils regularly.... especially during the summer!

No way... just one can!

Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for four hours!

Energy Auditing Tips

The Pie Chart on the right provides a guide of where "the average homeowner" uses household energy. Any way you look at it, it can really add up. Here are some simple action steps to get you started lowering your energy bills!

• Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces. Visit for instructions on checking your insulation levels.
• Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.
• Check for open fireplace dampers.
• Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. Check your owner's manuals for the recommended maintenance.
• Study your family's lighting needs and use patterns, paying special attention to high-use areas such as the living room, kitchen, and outside lighting. Look for ways to use lighting controls—like occupancy sensors, dimmers, or timers—to reduce lighting energy use, and replace standard (incandescent) light bulbs and fixtures with compact or standard fluorescent lamps.