How You Can Help
There are many things, large and small, that you can do to help conserve energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and support an expanding green economy.
General Energy Conservation Tips
(Note: These actions will also save you money.)
- Turn off electrical devices when you're not using them, including computers, televisions, and lights.
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs, such as compact fluorescent bulbs, rather than incandescent bulbs.
- Weatherize your home to eliminate leaks around doors and windows. This will reduce your air conditioning in warm weather and your heating in cool weather.
- Turn your refrigerator down only to the lowest temperatures necessary – about 37 degrees for the refrigerator compartment and 3 degrees for the freezer. Refrigerators use about 20% of household electricity.
- Turn down the thermostat on your water heater. The installed setting of most water heaters is hotter than necessary.
- Don't run your dishwasher until it's full. Turn off the drying cycle, open it up, and let your dishes air dry.
- When you buy a vehicle, buy one that gets good mileage. Consider getting an electric, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid.
Green Technology Investment
- When you build or make changes to your home or business, use energy-saving materials and components.
- Consider installing a photovoltaic solar energy system for your home or business. You can calculate how many years it would take you to see a return on your investment with this Solar Energy Payback Calculator.
At the DNR
Visit a DNR facility to see what's being done there with renewable energy and energy conservation.