Conservation Tips

Follow these tips to dramatically reduce your utility costs.

Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1,000 gallons per month
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons every time
Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants
Keep your shower under 5 minutes and you could save up to 1,000 gallons per month
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you just discovered a leak. Having a slow leak repaired could save you around 600 gallons a month (A toilet flapper stuck in a wide open position can waste abound 3,000 gallons per day!)
Have leaky faucets repaired and you can save over 500 gallons per month
Match the water level to the size of your load when doing laundry
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 4 gallons per minute. That equates to 800 gallons per month for a family of four
Turn off the water while you shave and save more than 400 gallons per month
Plug the bathtub before adjusting the temperature as the tub fills up

Turn the air conditioner off when you are not at home. Also, raise the thermostat setting on your air conditioner 5° to 6° F
Turn on fans, rather than air conditioners, to circulate air
Close shades and curtains during the day to keep the heat out
Put timers on your dehumidifier or air purifiers so they run only at night
Run your dishwasher in the early morning or late evening, and make sure it is full
Wash clothes in the early morning or late evening
If you have an electric water heater, shower and wash clothes and dishes in the late evening
Limit the use of small appliances during the day – especially heat producing appliances (such as toasters, coffee makers, electric fryers or griddles, hair dryers, curling irons, etc.)
Turn the lights off when you leave a room
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs where lights are on a lot of the time
Minimize the amount of time refrigerator and freezer doors are open
Turn off home computers and televisions when not in use

Lower your thermostat. Save from 3% to 5% on your heating costs for each degree lowered
Wash full loads of clothes in cold water
Use energy saving settings on home appliances
Close vents in unused rooms
Allow sunlight to enter your home during the day by raising blinds or opening curtains
Close heavy drapes to add insulation
Use plastic window coverings on drafty windows
Make sure your fireplace damper is closed when not in use
If you have a gas fireplace, turn the pilot off during the warm and hot months
Promptly turn off kitchen, bath, or other ventilating fans off when not in use