How to Improve Your Gas Mileage
From the FTC:
Whether you are shopping for a new car or just trying to maintain the one you have, you can take some steps to get the best mileage out of your gas purchases. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, offers a few tips to use fuel efficiently. Click here
Click here for more information.
The 411 on Disposing of Your Old Cell Phone
From the FTC:
If you own a cell phone, at some point you’re likely to upgrade to a newer model. But what should you do with your old phone? Options include recycling, reselling, and donating. Cell phones and more complex mobile devices, like Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), are like laptop computers: they’re often repositories of personal and sometimes sensitive information, including addresses and phone numbers, passwords, account numbers, email, voicemail, phone logs, even medical and prescription information. You wouldn’t dispose of your old laptop computer without wiping the hard drive clean; mobile devices deserve the same level of attention before you discard them. Before you hang up your old phone for the last time, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants you to know how to dispose of it properly. Click here for more information.
Energy-related Grants or Tax Credits for Your Home or Business
From the EIA:
The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has a web page where you will find links to sources of information on financial assistance for the purchase of renewable energy equipment and energy-efficient appliances.
Click here for more information about financial assistance for Homes.
Click here for more information about financial assistance for Businesses.
Click here for more information about all financial and grant opportunities on the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website.
Save Energy and Money Today
Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends more than $1,600 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. And electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. And as for the road, transportation accounts for 66% of all U.S. oil consumption. The good news is, there is a lot you can do to save energy and money at home and in your car. Start making small changes today. To cut your energy use up to 25% click here for Long-Term Savings Tips.
Wildfire Prevention Week
The week of March 16-22 is Pennsylvania’s Wildfire Prevention Week. This has been announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and National Resources.
9 out of 10 forest fires are started by people and the goal of the PA Department of Conservation and National Resources is to create awareness and lower these numbers. The Department of Conservation and National Resources emphasizes the importance of knowing how to prevent forest fires while camping or participating in any recreational task in the forest.
On their website is a list of how you can lower the risk of forest fires.
Click here for information on forest fire hazards.
How can homeowners help prevent forest fires? Click here to find out.
How To Stay Warm
As the numbers on our thermometers flirt closely with that 0˚ mark, and as there is news of Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow, which promises six more weeks of winter, you may be wondering what different ways there are to stay warm without sending your heating bill through the roof.
Here are some ideas on staying warm while keeping your heating costs down. You can change your house thermostat to 69˚ when you are home and awake, 64˚ when you are sleeping and 62˚ when you are not at home during the day. You can also let the sun shine into your house to warm things up, insulate your windows, layer your bedding, and eat warm foods like soup and hot chocolate!
For more ideas click here.
Tips for Conserving Water
With the drought affecting most of our nation, the conservation of water is incredibly important. Here are ten ways that will save the most water without spending money on new appliances:
1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back, when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. So set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. Saves 750-1,500 gallons per month. Better yet, especially in times of drought, water with a hose. And best of all, convert your lawn to native plants.
2. Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Saves 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped.
3. Don't run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end. Saves 150 gallons each time. For a two-car family that's up to 1,200 gallons a month.
4. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Saves 500 to 800 gallons per month.
5. Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Saves 300 to 800 gallons per month.
6. Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.
7. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 150 gallons or more each time. At once a week, that's more than 600 gallons a month.
8. Don't use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Saves 400 to 600 gallons per month.
9. Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or your garden. Saves 200 to 300 gallons per month.
10. Don't water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs--and only there. Saves 500 gallons per month.
For More Information - 100 Ways for the Northeast to Save Water
