The Frugal Fridge

The Frugal Fridge
Check out the EnergyGuide labels when looking for a refrigerator.

How it helps
Energy-efficient appliances always turn out better for the environment.

Make the change
This label calculates costs for you, listing the estimated yearly energy consumption and estimated yearly operating costs of the refrigerator.

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1-Dish Load?

1-Dish Load?
Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load.

How it helps
The hot water and energy required to run a dishwasher makes it a shame to wash just a few items.

Make the change
Either wait to have enough dishes (and if you eat 3 times a day, you’re well on your way), or do a quick hand-washing.

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Solar Lights

Buy a photocell unit for your outdoor lights.

How it helps
They will recharge during the daytime to keep running at night. You won’t even need to hook them up to your power source.

Make the change
These are widely available in home improvement stores. (And we completely agree that photocells are a “home improvement!")

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Motion Detectors

Equip outdoor lighting with a motion sensor so these lights are only on when needed.

How it helps
You aren’t using energy when no one is outside around your house.

Make the change
This is a do-it-yourselfer’s dream. Buy them at the hardware store and install in 5 minutes.

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The Light in Daylight

Allow natural daylight to enter rooms wherever possible to reduce artificial lighting needs in these areas.

How it helps
Less artificial lighting means energy saved.

Make the change
There is a reason humans stay awake during the day (for the most part.) Take advantage of that huge, blazing star we revolve around!
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Conscious Placement

Conscious Placement
Plan your lighting needs. There is no point in flooding your bedroom in a bright, all-over, hospital-like glare if you will only be reading by your bedside. Be more efficient and invest in a reading lamp instead.

How it helps
You won’t be using energy to light up things you aren’t going to look at.

Make the change
Analyze a room in your apartment where you spend a fair of time. Think of what activities you do most frequently there, and plan lighting accordingly.

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Snow White Blinds

Snow-white Blinds
Put white or light-colored blinds or curtains on your windows.

How it helps
Light colored curtains will reflect heat away from the house when it’s uncomfortably hot outside and reduce the energy required to cool your house.

Make the change
There’s a reason traditional tropical clothing is always based on the color white!
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Window Film

Window Film
If your current windows are not very energy-friendly, purchase plastic sealing film from a hardware store and apply it the inside of your windows during the winter months.

How it helps
This inexpensive plastic film reduces heat loss and therefore prevents energy waste.

Make the change
If you can’t afford to replace windows, this is your best bet. You will get real energy savings for a reasonable price.
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Windows with Gas

If you live in a warmer climate, get gas-filled windows with low emissivity coatings.

How it helps
These windows help to prevent heat loss, and therefore save on cooling costs.

Make the change
Contact a local contractor or hardware supply store to get more information on purchasing this type of window.

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Spectrally Selective Coatings

Spectrally Selective Coatings
If you live in a warmer climate, get windows treated with spectrally selective coatings.

How it helps
These treatments are designed to will prevent heat from entering windows from the outside, saving on your air conditioning costs.

Make the change
This treatment can be applied over your normal windows.

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Thicker Windows

Replace single-pane windows with double-pane windows.

How it helps
New double-pane windows are designed to reduce heat loss, thereby saving you energy.

Make the change
If your windows are old and need replaced, look for good double-pane replacements.

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Sunshine Bathing

Sunshine Bathing
Install a solar water heater.

How it helps
You will be taking advantage of a natural, renewable power source to heat water instead of a method that contributes to global warming.

Make the change
All you need is a south-facing spot in direct sunlight. No yard to speak of? That’s not necessarily a problem. Solar water heaters can even be installed on your roof!

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Hand Washing

Hand Washing

Wash dishes by hand when you have the time.

How it helps
Hand washing dishes uses an average of 4 gallons of water while a dishwasher uses an average of 12 gallons of water.

Make the change
Think of washing dishes as a relaxing end-of-day ritual and do it by hand when you aren’t feeling stressed.

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Wasteful Sediments

Wasteful Sediments
Replace one quart of water from your water tank every 3 months.

How it helps
This removes sediment that can inhibit efficient heat transfer.

Make the change
The manual that came with your water tank will explain in detail how to do this.

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Showers Rule!

Showers Rule
Take showers more often than baths. Or you could revert to your childhood habit of bathing in the same water as your siblings�but maybe you�d prefer just to take a shower!

How it helps
Water production and heating uses lots of energy and therefore produces carbon emissions.

Make the change
If you are a daily bather, commit to at least a shower or two per week.

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Swaddle the Tank

Swaddle the Tank
Insulate the storage tank on your hot-water heater according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

How it helps
Energy in the form of heat is lost through the surface of the water tank.

Make the change
Help your hot water heater do its job with an insulating blanket.

New Showerheads

New Showerheads
Install water-saving showerheads and faucets.

How it helps
If water runs out of your showerhead and faucets at a slower rate, less water will be heated and less energy used.

Make the change
Heating water is the third largest contributor to your monthly energy bill!

Fan + AC = Cool

Fan + AC = Cool
If you have a window air conditioning unit, use a fan to circulate the cool air throughout the room.

How it helps
Using an electric fan uses energy, but it uses less energy than cranking the air conditioning up another notch to feel its effects.

Make the change
Experiment with the perfect positioning for the fan.

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Isolate the Thermostat

Isolate the Thermostat
Keep light fixtures and appliances away from the thermostat for your air-conditioner.

How it helps
Thermostats can pick up the heat from these devices and continue to run even though the house is cool.

Make the change
Scout the area around your thermostat to look for offending appliances.

Set Up a System

Set up a System
Put a heat-air exchange system into your fireplace.

How it helps
Heat-air exchange systems will blow the warm air around the room, maximizing the effects of your fireplace.

Make the change
Check out the possibilities for your particular style of fireplace.

Caulk It Up!

Caulk it up
Caulk around the hearth of your fireplace.

How it helps
Fireplaces are just one more place where cold air can leak into the house.

Make the change
Make sure your fireplace hearth is sealed with an appropriate caulking.

Clean windows allow your house to heat naturally

Spray and Shine
Keep all south-facing windows clean.

How it helps
Clean glass helps to optimize the solar heat that enters the house. Dust and dirt absorb heat so it doesn't pass through.

Make the change
If it has been awhile since you have cleaned these windows, get out your rags and glass cleaner!