From the City of Seattle
Earth Day April 22, 2007
Seattle - Earth Month reminds us that we need to continue to take daily steps to keep our city and our planet healthy and environmentally sustainable. Seattle City Light offers the following tips to conserve energy.
Stay out of hot water. A hot water tank is the second largest energy user in the home. To reduce the amount of energy it uses, set the tank at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Take shorter showers, use water-efficient washing machines and wash clothes in cold water. You can save more by running full loads in the dishwasher and the clothes washer.
Turn down, turn off, unplug. Set thermostats at 68 degrees when you’re at home and 55 degrees or lower when you’re away or at night. Turn off lights in empty rooms and unplug electronics such as DVD players and cell phone chargers when not in use.
Keep yourself cozy. Staying warm during the day by dressing in layers and at night by using flannel sheets and a thick comforter on your bed is less expensive than turning up your thermostat.
Circulate the heat. Most of the heat from a baseboard heater will rise to the ceiling and stay there. Use ceiling fans to distribute that heat throughout the room.
Create a heat haven. Plugging leaks around doors, windows, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and wall penetrations will keep the heat in and the cold out. Add insulation to walls, floors, attics and windows.
Refrigerate wisely. Freezers are most efficient when they are packed full. Let hot foods cool before you put them in the refrigerator. Let frozen foods thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.
Dampers make a difference. Make sure to close the damper on your fireplace. Leaving it open while the heat is on is the same as leaving the front door open. It could double your heat bill. Repair a poorly fitting damper and, for an extra layer of protection, install and use glass fireplace doors.
Contact City Light. For more energy and money saving tips, call Seattle City Light’s Conservation Help Line at (206) 684-3000 or visit www.seattle.gov/light/accounts. City Light also can provide technical assistance and even some rebates.
You can make a difference! Start by taking the steps above and then let others know of your commitment. Tell people where you shop and where you work that climate protection matters. For a list of other great steps to make Seattle and Planet Earth a better place to live, visit the Green Seattle Guide at www.seattle.gov/environment/cag/index.html.
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