Last week Patty and I went to the Environmental Conservation Department and spoke with Kim. It was quite informative and I learned that I need to change my habits. Yorktown already has a very complete, pro-active recycling program and tries to make our citizens aware of our responsibilities and opportunities. Each year they mail out a pamphlet that outlines current programs and demonstrates that recycling works and has a very positive payback both in recycling and cost savings.
I learned that the garbage we put at the curb is taken to the Charles Point plant in Peekskill and burned to produce electricity. The system there is quite efficient and there are minimal emissions from the plant. What is left, after burning, is ash that contains toxic heavy metals. This is hauled to a landfill in Cortland; there are no more open landfills available for our trash.
The items placed in our recycling bins are taken to the recycling center in Yonkers, separated and bundled. The County has agreements for the purchase of the valuable components such as aluminum, glass, paper, cardboard and plastic. What I learned, which is in the pamphlet at home, was that at this time only plastic marked #1 or #2 are recycled. The yogurt container or the trays from Empire Hunan we get our Chinese takeout in are not recycled. They are separated out, put into dumpsters and then hauled to Charles Point and burned. So, even though I 'recycled' these items, I was actually causing more expense in handling these as they were now trucked to Yonkers and then back to Peekskill as well as manually sorted out of the waste stream of valid recyclable objects.
Similar to the County program to collect household chemicals and computers, the Town collects the computer equipment put at the curb during big garbage pickup, stores them and then passes these along to a recycling company. So, rather than hauling my excess to a County park on these days, I can leave it at the curb and it will end up with a similar fate.
The Town also has collection points for batteries and cell phones. Those with heavy metals (cadmium, nickle, etc.) are responsibly managed.
The Town follows the NY State and County regulations for the proper handling and disposal of our trash. From what we heard, our Town tries to go above and beyond to help us responsibly manage our own waste and reduce the taxpayer cost for these services. We should all pull out our pamphlets and read about the existing programs and best practices.
I found mine and have begun to change my ways.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
To think and act upon... and spread the message
This is obvious to some but needs repeated to all.
When you make energy efficiency part of your everyday activities, you are reducing energy demand. Reducing demand means that less natural gas, coal and other resources are needed to produce energy. This means less greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air
for all of us and cost savings for you.
When you make energy efficiency part of your everyday activities, you are reducing energy demand. Reducing demand means that less natural gas, coal and other resources are needed to produce energy. This means less greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air
for all of us and cost savings for you.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Message from 1Sky re December 8 International Day of Climate Action
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the 1Sky e-newsletter! We will be bringing you regular updates on the 1Sky campaign and inviting you to join us in tackling the defining challenge of our generation - the climate crisis.
2007 could justly be called "the year of the the climate." Not only did we see the devastating effects of wildfires in California, drought in the southeast, and the melting of sea ice in polar areas around the globe, but we also witnessed an unprecedented groundswell of public support in this country for bold and comprehensive legislation on climate change.
People took to the streets in their communities, got involved on their campuses and made sure that their voices were heard loud and clear in Washington. Just check out this video to see a quick recap of Step It Up and Powershift over the last year, only two parts of this rapidly growing movement behind 1Sky and our proposed solutions.
Take action on December 8. Coming up soon on the event calendar is December 8th -- the International Day of Climate Action, timed to coincide with climate talks of the United Nations in Bali, Indonesia, where world leaders will meet to discuss our post-Kyoto future. Two ways to get involved on that day is to hold an action in your community, or to join the national polar bear plunge.
We're Hiring. Here at 1Sky we're staffing up (see our job postings here) and working hard to keep up with all the interest and ideas flowing into our email box. We've got over 55,000 supporters on our email list (thanks in large part to Step It Up!), but we're aiming high: we need 1 million people to join us in calling on our leaders to support real climate solutions now.
Not on our email list? Sign up here to join the movement!
So when you're relaxing after your thanksgiving feast, reflect not only about what you're thankful for now -- but how thankful your friends, children and grandchildren will be knowing that you took action on climate change before it became a crisis beyond reach.
Stay tuned for a full campaign update next week...
With Thanks,
The 1Sky Team
(ph) 301.920.1444
(fax) 301.270.6816
Help us build a list 1 million strong.
Click here to get updates and calls for action!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Global Warming Forum Nov. 29
Global Warming Public Forum with Assemblymember Galef Event Date: 11/29/2007 7:00pm - 9:00pm Please join NYLCV's Education Fund and Assemblymember Sandy Galef as co-hosts of a forum on global warming. Panel speakers include:
Cortlandt Town Hall 1 Heady Street Cortlandt Manor, NY Click HERE to RSVP for this FREE public forum! This event is a Panel Discussion |
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Should Drive-thrus be outlawed?
There are many sides to this discussion and the benefits and reprocussions of banning drive-thrus in our town. One obvious goal would be to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars idling in lines.
This web site documents a study done by observing a McDonalds. http://www.welivehere.ca/Impacts.htm
Should this part of our agenda towards reducing our collective carbon footprint?
This web site documents a study done by observing a McDonalds. http://www.welivehere.ca/Impacts.htm
Should this part of our agenda towards reducing our collective carbon footprint?
Monday, November 12, 2007
Greenhouse Gas Overview
Greenhouse Gas Overview
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are often called greenhouse gases. Some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide occur naturally and are emitted to the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities. Other greenhouse gases (e.g., fluorinated gases) are created and emitted solely through human activities. The principal greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere because of human activities are:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of other chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is also removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle.
Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
Fluorinated Gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes. Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (i.e., CFCs, HCFCs, and halons). These gases are typically emitted in smaller quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases (“High GWP gases”).
Greenhouse Gas Inventories
A greenhouse gas inventory is an accounting of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to or removed from the atmosphere over a specific period of time (e.g., one year). A greenhouse gas inventory also provides information on the activities that cause emissions and removals, as well as background on the methods used to make the calculations. Policy makers use greenhouse gas inventories to track emission trends, develop strategies and policies and assess progress. Scientists use greenhouse gas inventories as inputs to atmospheric and economic models.
To track the national trend in emissions and removals since 1990, EPA develops the official U.S. greenhouse gas inventory each year. The national greenhouse gas inventory is submitted to the United Nations in accordance with the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Emission Trends & Projections
Estimates of future emissions and removals depend in part on assumptions about changes in underlying human activities. For example, the demand for fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal is expected to increase greatly with the predicted growth of the U.S. and global economies.
The National Research Council concluded, in assessing current trends, that 'emissions of some greenhouse gases are increasing, but others are decreasing. In some cases the decreases are a result of policy decisions, while in other cases the reasons for the decrease are not well understood' (NRC, 2001).
Many, but not all, human sources of greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise in the future. This growth may be reduced by ongoing efforts to increase the use of newer, cleaner technologies and other measures. Additionally, our everyday choices about such things as commuting, housing, electricity use and recycling can influence the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted.
From http://www.worldofrenewables.com/page.php?pageid=23
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are often called greenhouse gases. Some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide occur naturally and are emitted to the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities. Other greenhouse gases (e.g., fluorinated gases) are created and emitted solely through human activities. The principal greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere because of human activities are:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of other chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is also removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle.
Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
Fluorinated Gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes. Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (i.e., CFCs, HCFCs, and halons). These gases are typically emitted in smaller quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases (“High GWP gases”).
Greenhouse Gas Inventories
A greenhouse gas inventory is an accounting of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to or removed from the atmosphere over a specific period of time (e.g., one year). A greenhouse gas inventory also provides information on the activities that cause emissions and removals, as well as background on the methods used to make the calculations. Policy makers use greenhouse gas inventories to track emission trends, develop strategies and policies and assess progress. Scientists use greenhouse gas inventories as inputs to atmospheric and economic models.
To track the national trend in emissions and removals since 1990, EPA develops the official U.S. greenhouse gas inventory each year. The national greenhouse gas inventory is submitted to the United Nations in accordance with the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Emission Trends & Projections
Estimates of future emissions and removals depend in part on assumptions about changes in underlying human activities. For example, the demand for fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal is expected to increase greatly with the predicted growth of the U.S. and global economies.
The National Research Council concluded, in assessing current trends, that 'emissions of some greenhouse gases are increasing, but others are decreasing. In some cases the decreases are a result of policy decisions, while in other cases the reasons for the decrease are not well understood' (NRC, 2001).
Many, but not all, human sources of greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise in the future. This growth may be reduced by ongoing efforts to increase the use of newer, cleaner technologies and other measures. Additionally, our everyday choices about such things as commuting, housing, electricity use and recycling can influence the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted.
From http://www.worldofrenewables.com/page.php?pageid=23
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Decrease junk mail
If anyone out there is feeling inundated by catalogs they don't want, here's a solution. Catalog Choice is an easy, free service that allows you to decline unsolicited catalogs, reducing the number of catalogs in your mailbox and lightening your footprint on the environment.
http://www.catalogchoice.org/signup
http://www.catalogchoice.org
Monday, November 5, 2007
HOME ENERGY USE - From NYSERDA
DID YOU KNOW?
. You could use 30% LESS energy in your home just by using energy more wisely and purchasing products with the ENERGY STAR ® label. You can find the ENERGY STAR on refrigerators, clothes washers, computers, dishwashers, room air conditioners, TVs, VCRs, dehumidifiers, lighting, ceiling fans, and more!
. About 35% of all electricity used in the United States is used to run homes.
. Where does your home use energy?
- 60% - Air conditioning/heat
- 16% - Water heater
- 12% - Refrigerator
- 7% - Lights
- 5% - Computers, TV, etc.
. The amount of electricity you use is measured in, and priced by, kilowatt-hours (kWh). When you pay for a kilowatt-hour of electricity, you are paying for 1,000 watts of electricity used continuously for one hour.
. You can calculate the operating cost of any electrical appliance by checking its wattage and using these formulas:
- wattage x hours used/1,000 = kWh
- kWh x cost per kWh = operating cost
BASIC ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
. Look for the ENERGY STAR label , the symbol for energy efficiency, when shopping for major appliances and lighting.
. Shift energy-intensive tasks - like laundry and dishwashing - to off-peak energy-demand hours (mornings, nights and weekends).
. Use a timer or programmable thermostat and set it to automatically lower your home's temperature when you are not at home or asleep.
. Caulk and weatherstrip around doors, attic access, windows, outlets, any area that can let the cold air in and the warm air out.
. Change your furnace filter. A dirty filter makes your furnace less efficient, and can lead to expensive repairs.
LAUNDRY
DID YOU KNOW?
. 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water.
. ENERGY STAR ® clothes washers use 35-50% less water than standard models, saving about 7,000 gallons a year per household.
. They also use 50% less energy, saving you up to $120 a year (depending on the water temperature setting and whether it's an electric or natural gas hot water heater).
LAUNDRY ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
. Only wash and dry full loads.
. Always rinse in cold water.
. Hang your laundry outdoors to dry.
. Remove the lint from your dryer screen.
. Make sure the clothes dryer exhaust is not blocked.
REFRIGERATOR
DID YOU KNOW?
. Your refrigerator uses the most electricity of all the appliances in your home.
. A refrigerator produced in 1990 uses twice the amount of electricity needed to operate an ENERGY STAR ® model.
. ENERGY STAR refrigerators have better insulation and efficient motors, as well as all the features you want and expect.
REFRIGERATOR ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
. Select a refrigerator/freezer with energy-saving features. It's guaranteed to use 20% less electricity than the standard model, saving you approximately $60 a year. Get more info on ENERGY STAR refrigerators .
. Regularly clean the condenser coils of your refrigerator that are typically located underneath or behind the refrigerator.
. Make sure the seals on your refrigerator, freezer and oven doors fit tightly. Easily perform this test by leaving a lit flashlight inside a closed appliance and if you see light around the gasket, replace the gasket.
DISHWASHER
DID YOU KNOW?
. ENERGY STAR ® dishwashers are at least 13% more energy efficient than standard models.
. An ENERGY STAR dishwasher saves approximately 1,200 gallons of water a year - 6 times the amount of water the average person drinks in a year!
. 60% to 80% of the power used by a dishwasher is consumed just to heat the water.
DISHWASHER ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
. Run your dishwasher only when full.
. Air dry the clean dishes by turning the energy-saver switch on.
LIGHTING
DID YOU KNOW?
. Replacing your current incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) will save you nearly $30 over the life of each bulb.
. CFLs use 75 percent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. This means that over the life of one CFL, a consumer can avoid replacing up to 9 incandescent bulbs!
. ENERGY STAR ® lighting fixtures put out the same amount of light as standard fixtures while providing excellent color rendering and light temperature. Colors appear true and natural.
. ENERGY STAR fixtures operate at much lower temperatures than many traditional lamps, drastically reducing the risk of fire in your home.
LIGHTING ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
. Turn off unused lights and appliances when you leave a room.
. Use timers on indoor and outdoor lights.
AIR CONDITIONING
DID YOU KNOW?
. Replacing a 15-year-old room air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR ® room air conditioner could save you up to $56* a year on electricity.
. Programmable thermostats will automatically raise the air-conditioning temperature at night and lower it again in the morning. They cost about $25 and will lead to instant savings on electric bills.
. Running an appropriately sized smaller unit for a longer time will use less energy to completely condition a room than running a larger unit for a shorter time.
AIR CONDITIONING ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
. Set your air-conditioning thermostat at 78ºF or higher during the cooling season. Each degree above 75ºF saves you 3% of the energy used to cool your home.
. Change or clean your air filter per the manufacturer's recommendation.
HOME OFFICE
DID YOU KNOW?
. Look for the ENERGY STAR ® label on computer monitors, fax machines, copiers and water coolers.
. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.
. Home electronic products use energy when they're off to power features like clock displays and remote controls. Those that have earned the ENERGY STAR use as much as 50% less energy to perform these functions, while providing the same performance at the same price as less-efficient models.
HOME OFFICE ENERGY SAVING TIPS
. Turn off lights in offices and conference rooms when they are not in use.
. Turn off office equipment when it is not needed at night or on the weekends.
NATURAL HEATING ENERGY SAVING TIPS
. Open your draperies, windows and doors on the sunny side of your home during the day to increase solar heat gain.
. Use the reverse setting on ceiling fans to push the warm air down.
THE BATH - ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
. Use your exhaust fans sparingly. In just one hour they can remove a houseful of warmed or cooled air.
. Repair all leaky faucets. One drop per second can waste as much as 10 gallons of water in a week.
. Take showers rather than baths. A typical shower requires only half as much hot water as an average tub bath.
THE ATTIC - ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
. Check your insulation - especially your attic. By increasing and filling gaps in insulation in older homes you keep your home warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and save you money all year round.
. Install a vapor barrier in your attic to reduce the flow of moisture from inside your home through the insulation. This eliminates condensation that reduces insulation efficiency.
*Savings will vary depending on your air conditioner size, hours of use, and your electric rates. Please ask your sales representative to help you better understand the potential savings for your situation.
Friday, November 2, 2007
ConED Go Green Tips
Overview
1. Americans spend more than $160 billion a year to heat, cool, light, and live in their residences.
2. Heating and cooling use more energy and drain more energy dollars than any other systems in your home.
3. Typically, 45% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling.
4. Heating and cooling systems in the United States emit 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, adding to global climate change.
5. Heating and cooling systems generate about 12% of the nation's sulfur dioxide and 4% of the nitrogen oxides, the chief ingredients in acid rain.
6. Save 20% to 30% on energy bills with energy-efficiency improvements.
7. Cut your energy use and reduce emissions from 20% to 50% with proper insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings.
Appliances
8. Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off. Unplug appliances after use.
9. The lower the wattage or amperage, the less energy consumed.
10. Replace older appliances with Energy Star-qualified appliances; they use less energy and can save you money.
11. Appliances account for about 20% of your household's energy consumption.
12. Learn more about Energy Star-qualified appliances at www.energystar.gov.
13. Use energy-saving settings on all appliances.
14. Electric kettles use less energy than stovetop kettles.
15. Run the dishwasher only when it's full.
16. 60% to 80% of the power used by a dishwasher just heats water.
17. Run your clothes washer only with a full load of laundry.
18. An Energy Star washer can save more water than one person drinks in a lifetime.
19. Wash your laundry with cold water to save energy and money.
20. U.S. households spend up to $135 per year in energy costs drying clothes.
21. Gas dryers are more efficient than electric ones.
22. Overloading the dryer makes it work harder.
23. Front loaders generally conserve water and are more efficient.
24. Dryers with cool-down or perm-press cycles use cool air during the last few minutes; this saves energy.
25. Refrigerators, clothes washers, and clothes dryers are at the top of the energy-consumption list.
26. A dirty lint filter can use 30% more energy.
Air Conditioners
27. Air conditioning accounts for about 56% of your energy use.
28. Set your AC to 78 degrees. 75 degrees costs 18% more, and 72 degrees costs 39% more.
29. Keep air-conditioner filters clean.
30. Air-conditioner capacity should be the right amount for the size of the room.
31. Look for an air conditioner with built-in timers and thermostats.
32. In winter, close the air-conditioning unit, unplug, and cover.
33. For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. Energy Star models are 13 SEER or more.
General Home Care
34. Energy-efficient homes are less costly to own, operate, and maintain, and they are more comfortable.
35. In the winter, set your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night.
36. Inspect your cooling system in the spring and heating system in the fall.
37. Regularly clean or replace your furnace, air conditioner, and heat-pump filters.
38. Close curtains during hot summer months to block the sun.
39. Every year, more than $13 billion worth of energy leaks from homes through small holes and cracks. That’s more than $150 per family.
40. Seal drafty windows, doors, and holes around plumbing fixtures.
41. Water heaters consume 85% to 90% of the energy used to wash your clothes.
42. Turn down your water heater to the "warm" setting (120 degrees).
43. Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after cooking or bathing.
44. Replace older exhaust fans with high-efficiency, low-noise models.
45. One thousand watt-hours equals 1 kilowatt-hour, or 1 kWh.
46. The average residential rate is 8.3 cents per kWh.
47. A typical U.S. household consumes about 11,000 kWh per year, costing an average of $900 annually.
48. A refrigerator uses almost five times more electricity than a television.
49. Across America, home refrigerators use the electricity generated by 25 large power plants every year.
50. Every time you open the refrigerator door, up to 30% of cold air escapes.
51. Position refrigerators away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
52. Pack items tightly in freezer.
53. Make sure rubber gaskets on refrigerator doors provide a tight seal.
54. Clean coils and remove dust from behind the refrigerator.
55. Recycling one aluminum can save enough energy to watch television for three hours.
Lighting
56. If we changed an incandescent light bulb for every child in America, it would prevent more than 30 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and save enough money to light more than 15 million homes for an entire year.
57. Making improvements to your lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills.
58. Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing lighting products.
59. Turn off lights when not home and buy a timer to turn them on 1/2 hour before returning home.
60. Lighting accounts for about 20% of the average home’s electric bill.
61. The average home has about 30 light fixtures.
62. Keep fixtures clean.
63. By using new lighting technologies, you can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 50% to 75%.
64. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). They use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer.
65. Exterior lighting is one of the best places to use CFLs because of their long life.
66. Use brighter bulbs for reading and work areas; use 25- to 40-watt bulbs where only some light is needed.
67. Consider using 4-watt minifluorescent or electro-luminescent night lights.
68. Use dimmers.
69. Turn off the lights in any room you're not using, or consider installing timers, photo cells, or sensors to save money.
70. Instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it.
71. Use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops.
72. Three-way lamps make it easier to keep lighting low when brighter light is not necessary.
73. Use four-foot fluorescent fixtures with reflective backing and electronic ballasts for your workroom, garage, and laundry areas.
74. You can save about $35 annually if you replace four standard incandescent lamps with CFLs.
75. Properly recessed down lights or high hats can now be used in retrofits or new construction with CFLs.
76. Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room while preserving privacy.
77. Decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.
78. Replace torchiere fixtures with halogen lamps with compact fluorescent torchieres.
79. Compact fluorescent torchieres use 60% to 80% less energy. They produce more light and produce less heat.
Outdoor Lighting
80. Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a motion sensor so they go on only at night or when someone is present.
81. A combined photocell and motion sensor will increase your energy savings even more.
82. Turn off decorative outdoor natural gas lamps; just eight such lamps burning year round use as much natural gas as it takes to heat an average-size home all winter.
83. Try outdoor solar lighting systems. They convert sunlight into electricity.
84. If you live in a cold climate, buy a lamp with cold-weather ballast, since standard CFLs may not work well below 40 degrees.
85. Consider high-intensity discharge (also called HID) or low-pressure sodium lights.
Computers
86. Turn off your computer monitor when not in use for more than 20 minutes.
87. Turn off your computer when not in use for more than two hours.
88. Unplug your cell phone and blackberry chargers when they're not being used.
89. A laptop uses half the energy of a desktop computer.
90. Use a power strip/surge protector for your computer, monitor, printer, and other computer accessories.
91. To maximize savings with a laptop, put the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off or that will turn off automatically.
92. Turn off the switch on the power surge strip when the equipment is not in use.
93. Using rechargeable batteries for products like cordless phones and PDAs is more cost effective than throwaway batteries.
94. An Energy Star computer uses 70% less electricity.
95. If left inactive, Energy Star computers enter a low-power mode and use 15 watts or less.
96. Working in low-power mode saves energy, and helps equipment run cooler and last longer.
97. Screen savers on monitors do not reduce energy.
98. Switch to the sleep mode or manually turn monitors off to save energy.
99. Inkjet printers consume less electricity than laser printers.
Visit
100. Visit the following sites for more information:
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