Energy Reduction Tips

• Replace one light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL).
• When not using electronics, remember to turn them off.
• Unplug cell phone when it is done charging and remove the charger from the socket.
• Buy rechargeable batteries to keep dead ones out of the landfill.
• Barbecue more as outdoor grills use less energy than electric kitchen stoves.
• When purchasing new appliances, look for the "energy star" label to help reduce electricity consumption.
• Try washing some laundry, such as those that less soiled, in cold water. Ninety percent of energy used washing clothes in washing machine is for heating the water.
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
• Line dry your laundry.

Environmentally Friendly Tips

• Plant a tree.
• Use a nontoxic, natural bug spray.
• Buy paint with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs create ground-level ozone pollution and carry potential health risks.
• Buy organic and locally grown foods.
• Gas with ethanol can wreak havoc on older vehicles and machines. It can dissolve some materials, including fiberglass gas tanks and fuel systems.
• Producing ethanol is an energy-intensive process that often uses water. Using more gas because it is blended with ethanol is not environmentally friendly.

Green Transportation Tips

• Aggressive driving, such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking, wastes fuel.
• Carpool with coworkers and neighbors that are headed in the same direction.
• For short trips to the store or park, try walking or riding a bike.
• Ride a LakeXpress bus (www.ridelakexpress.com) instead of driving.
• Keeping tires inflated to the right PSI and rotated regularly to save fuel.
• If you buy a new vehicle that gets 10 miles per gallon than your old one, you will reduce CO2 emissions by 2,500 pounds a year.
• Keeping your vehicle’s air filter clean can significantly improve your gas mileage.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Tips

• Use washable rags instead of paper towels to clean up messes.
• Use both sides of computer paper.
• Buy reusable bags for grocery shopping.
• Encourage your family to recycle soda cans, milk jugs, glass jars and plastic bottles.
• Asked to be put on "do not mail lists" to stop junk mail.
• Create a compost pile.
• Pay as many bills online to reduce paper bills.
• Before buying anything new, check local print & Web classifieds.
• For new parents with babies, consider switching from disposable diapers to cloth diapers.
• Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
• When buying plastic utensils for picnics look for biodegradable products made from potatoes and soy.
• Instead of sending a fax, try scanning the document and e-mailing it to the recipient.
• When packing a lunch, use a lunch pail or canvas bag instead of throwaway paper bags.

Water Conservation Tips

• Installing a water aerator in a sink will slow the flow of water.
• Run the dishwasher only when it is full.
• Install one low-flow showerhead in your home.
• Buy a pitcher water filter to save the environment from empty bottles of water.
• When brushing your teeth, remember to turn the water on only when needed.
• Collect rainwater to water houseplants and garden.