Thursday Thirteen # 13 - 13 ways to "Turn It Off"
On May 16 turn off your unnecessary lights, TV and other appliances to help save electricity and a whole lot more. Think globally, act locally.
Lighting
1. Turn off all lights when you leave the room.
2. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use 75 percent less energy and last up to eight times longer than incandescent light bulbs.
3. Use dimmers with your incandescent light bulbs to extend the life of the bulb.
4. Use holiday light emitting diode (LED) strings. They use 95 percent less electricity and last ten times longer than standard incandescent strings.
Kitchen Appliances
5. Run the dishwasher only with a full load of dishes. Let the dishwasher air-dry or use the economy setting.
6. Use small appliances to cook meals or BBQ outside.
7. Keep your fridge or freezer away from heat sources.
Computer/TV
8. Turn off your computer, printer and photocopiers when not in use.
9. If you must leave your computer on for network applications or other purposes, turn off the monitor to reduce electricity consumption.
10. Unplug any electrical equipment that is not in use as many appliances consume power even when they’re “off”.
Space Heating
11. Set your thermostat to no higher than 21 degrees Celsius (70 Fahrenheit) for heating and no lower than 26 degrees Celsius (78 Fahrenheit) for cooling. Set the heating temperature to 16 degrees Celsius (60 Fahrenheit) when you’re away or asleep.
12. Put on a sweater instead of turning up the thermostat.
13. Reduce heat loss through your home’s exterior by adding insulation to floors, walls, crawlspaces, basements and attics.
The Pledge
I believe
that we can and must make real changes in the way we live, for the sake of a livable, sustainable future.
I believe
that individual actions, taken in concert, can send a powerful message as well as making a real difference.
And I hereby pledge
that, on May 16th, I will do my part by turning off my lights and non-essential electronic and electrical devices, and doing my best to reduce my energy consumption.
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Comments
OMG, it's the 19th - I missed it! If it's any consolation, I do these things daily. I really am a stickler for turning things OFF. Simple is better. Hey, thanks for stopping by my place this week!
DK
Posted by: DK Raymer | May 19, 2007 7:13 PM
Yia sou Christine....good advice all around..The environment is still our most important possesion. When will everyone wake up to this?
Thanks for dropping by and commenting recently. I had a chance to look into your blog a little more and I am very interested in the book you're working on. "Saints and Cigarettes" sounds like a great title.
keep it up
Posted by: Peter G | May 18, 2007 5:39 PM
What a great list!!
Posted by: Lene | May 17, 2007 4:11 PM
Great list!! =)
Posted by: Erica R | May 17, 2007 12:24 PM
Very informative.
I linked to you from 13 Ways to tell if you are a Surrender Monkey
Posted by: bernie | May 17, 2007 11:34 AM
Some great stuff here. My husband keeps me in line when it comes to power consumption. Excellent ideas.
Posted by: Christine d'Abo | May 17, 2007 11:10 AM
This is great stuff. We need to do it as a regular thing.
Posted by: Rhea | May 17, 2007 9:47 AM
Good ideas.
Lyn from Bloggin' Outloud
Posted by: Lyn | May 17, 2007 9:36 AM
Great suggestions Super TT idea
Posted by: robyn mills | May 17, 2007 8:28 AM
We have gas logs in our Den and it conserves on electricity in the winter. My DW never gets turned on unless it's full - my husband would do otherwise. :)
Check out my TT.
Posted by: Barb | May 17, 2007 8:12 AM
Oh, great list of ideas! Happy TT!
Lisa - Lil Duck Duck
Posted by: Mama Duck | May 17, 2007 7:17 AM
Great ideas to conserve.
Posted by: Ann(ie) | May 17, 2007 6:40 AM
Happy TT! Did you ever follow through when I tagged you?
Posted by: Kuanyin | May 17, 2007 5:41 AM
great list, every little bit counts. thanks for sharing these tips. see you next TT.
Posted by: MM del Rosario | May 17, 2007 3:51 AM
Oops, went and turned the living room light off while I read this! Great list
Posted by: Miss Frou Frou | May 17, 2007 3:41 AM
Great list. As each old style light bulb goes, I replace it with a fluorescent one. Almost all bulbs in my home are now energy saving.
Posted by: Nicholas | May 17, 2007 3:12 AM
i pledge that i will not have read this until thursday, May 17th and will be consumed with guilt allllll day. (bottom lip trembling)
Posted by: rhian | May 17, 2007 2:57 AM
Love this! I love getting inspired to make a difference . . . we really CAN except sometimes we forget!! =) Awesome, Christine!
Posted by: Red | May 16, 2007 11:22 PM
This is such a cool initiative. Thanks for making me aware of it.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 16, 2007 9:38 PM
Excellent pledge! All this weird weather (which I'm blaming on global warming), the ice caps melting, etc... is starting to scare the hell out of me. What kind of world are we leaving our children?
Posted by: Wylie Kinson | May 16, 2007 8:58 PM
Thanks for sharing the tips! :) Glad that you visited me today...
Posted by: Gabrielle | May 16, 2007 8:24 PM
I remember being taught so many of these practices in the 70s, when I was a kid.
For cooling conservation, now that summer's coming up: open all windows on the sides of the house facing away from the sun, in the early morning; then close them up around 9am. Keep the drapes or shades drawn, too - keeps the house cooler. Use small fans to keep air circulating. (The tricks you learn when growing up in the desert...)
Posted by: Laughing Muse | May 16, 2007 8:15 PM
Yep, we do lots of this stuff. I think we could do MORE, of course, but every little bit helps. As does the cooler temps we've been having -- no AC or heat on and I'm loving it!
Happy TT!
Posted by: Susan Helene Gottfried | May 16, 2007 7:24 PM
It's great that going green is going mainstream finally.
The typepad dress rehersal was a success but the show got cancelled. I'm still playing 13. As long as Hal will let me.
Posted by: colleen | May 16, 2007 7:17 PM
We do all those things were applicable. (We don't have AC). My parents worked for the utility so enegery conservation was part of growing up.
Posted by: pussreboots | May 16, 2007 6:44 PM
Awesome TT. I am always trying to turn down the heat and use fans and not A/C if I can. I always turn off all lights when leaving room and run the dishwasher when full. Thanks for the other ideas! Mine is up too!
Posted by: Amy | May 16, 2007 6:18 PM
Loved these! Especially #10. I always forget about that. Thanks for reminding me. I'm going to unplug my cell phone recharger right now.
Posted by: The Gal Herself | May 16, 2007 5:16 PM
That's a wonderful initiative, great list too! I already do a lot of those, but it's always good to be reminded!
My TT lists 13 favourite detectives (books).
Posted by: Tink | May 16, 2007 4:44 PM
Great list! It drives me nuts when people (husband) leaves on the computer or lights. I was raised if you walk into a room and turn it on, before you leave that room you turn it OFF! :) Have a great week!
Posted by: Shannon | May 16, 2007 4:26 PM
Awesome -- fabulous list. Thanks for raising awareness of things we can do to be more eco-friendly!
Happy TT, my friend!
Posted by: Thomma Lyn | May 16, 2007 4:18 PM
What a neat list and blog..I will be back
Posted by: amy | May 16, 2007 4:03 PM
Already do this stuff and more! We're so eco-friendly in this household! GREAT idea for a TT!
Posted by: Dew | May 16, 2007 3:42 PM