Waiting in Vain

Waiting in Vain
Turn off the car when you are waiting for someone.

How it helps
If your engine is running and you aren’t moving, you are wasting gas. Plus, you know it always takes longer than you think for someone to come out!

Make the change
Challenge yourself to turn off the ignition even if someone told you it would “just be a minute."

Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Idle Play

Idle Play
Don't let your car idle before driving it.

How it helps
Even on very cold days, you don't get any benefit from more than 30 seconds of warm-up." You just waste gas.

Make the change
Use driving gloves to keep digits warm while your car warms up on the road.

Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Phone Chargers

Unplug cell phone chargers when they are not in use.

How it helps
Your cell phone charger actually still pulls electricity when it is plugged into the outlet, even if there is no phone attached. It seems downright illogical, but that's the way it is!

Make the change
Pull it out once your phone is ready to go.
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Recharge

Use rechargeable batteries for cordless phones.

How it helps
Recharging batteries instead of throwing them away and buying new ones saves energy used in the manufacturing process.

Make the change
Not only will you be living a little more “green," you won’t run into the pesky problem of being out of batteries and having to go back to the store.
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Turn it On

Make sure the power management features on your energy-saving computer are activated.

How it helps
It is a really big shame if you go out of your way to buy an efficient computer but then fail to activate it.

Make the change
If you don’t know how to do this, consult the computer nerd in the next cubicle.

Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Air Works

Air-dry clothing when possible.

How it helps
Air drying is free and doesn’t contribute to climate change.

Make the change
Scout locations in your house, in your backyard, or on your balcony where you could hang a rope for air drying clothes.

Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Almost Dry

If your clothes are only very slightly damp, you may be able to finish drying them using only the “cool down" cycle on your machine.

How it helps
This is just one more way you can avoid burning coal to do work for you.

Make the change
If you check your laundry and it is almost dry, bump the dial ahead to the cool-down cycle. It may be all you need...
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com

Size Specific

Adjust the load size on your washing machine when you need to do smaller loads.

How it helps
If you tell your washing machine that you are putting in less clothing, it will use less energy and water.

Make the change
Check to see if the washing machine you use has a "load size" option.
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Mix and Match

Mix and Match
Use an appropriate-sized burner on your stovetop for the pan you have decided to use.

How it helps
Using a big pot on the big burner and a little pot on the little burner is the most efficient way to cook your food.

Make the change
If you’ve never paid attention, check out your cooking range to see what size burners are available.
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Cover Up

Cover Up
Put a lid on pots of water while waiting for them to boil.

How it helps
Water will boil faster if covered because less heat escapes from the pot. And you guessed it – less lost heat means less lost energy!

Make the change
Get dinner on the table faster with this tip!
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Pilot Plot

If you use a natural gas oven or stovetop, get one with an automatic electric ignition system.

How it helps
An automatic electric ignition system will use less gas because the pilot light isn’t constantly burning.

Make the change
Pilot lights have become less popular in gas stoves these days for this very reason.

Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Right Knob

Turn on the cold water faucet even when you are just getting a little bit of water.

How it helps
You might not run the water long enough to even feel warm water, but energy is being used to heat water in the tank.

Make the change
This is easy to do, if you can remember to do it. Post yourself reminders as needed!

Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Frosty Freezer

Defrost your freezer regularly.

How it helps
A frost layer of more than ¼ inch reduces the efficiency of your freezer.

Make the change
The frost probably annoys you anyway; now you have a good reason to take care of it.

Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Cold, not Frozen

Cold, not Frozen
Keep your refrigerator set to 37-40F.

How it helps
This is the optimal temperature for food safety, but any colder and you are guzzling electricity.

Make the change
If your veggies and milk are frozen, your fridge is too cold. Put a fridge thermometer inside to find out for sure.
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

No Fridge Heater

Skip over refrigerator models with “anti-sweat" heaters.

How it helps
These heaters cause an extra 5-10% increase in energy usage.

Make the change
Don’t let fast-talking salespeople convince you that you need features like this!
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!

Moot on Moisture

Buy a refrigerator with automatic moisture control.

How it helps
Moisture control is yet another beautiful automatic feature which reduces overall energy usage.

Make the change
Take a list of important features with you when shopping for a new fridge so you remember these things.
Visit How-to-stop-global-warming.com!