Conservation » Year-Round Conservation Tips

Use compact fluorescent lights. They last up to 10 to 13 times longer than standard bulbs and use 75% less energy.
Install dimmer switches. In addition to enhancing the mood, they'll extend the life of your bulbs and help you save up to 60% on your lighting costs.
Lower the temperature of your water heater from 140° to 120°. You'll save 3% to 5% in water heating costs for each 10° reduction.
Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer.
Don't leave the fridge door open. Every time you do, 30% of the air inside might escape. The same can be said for your oven.
Use a covered kettle or pan to boil water. It's faster, and it uses less energy.
Air-dry dishes. Also, avoid using the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features.
Choose a high-efficiency clothes washer and dryer. High-efficiency washers use half the water of standard models. High-efficiency dryers can save up to 30% in energy over standard models.
Defrost food before cooking. You could save 30% to 50% on cooking costs. And pre-heat your oven only for baking.
Install water-conserving fixtures, such as showerheads, faucets and toilets.
Fix leaky faucets, especially hot water faucets. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons per month — more than a person uses in two weeks.
Install a programmable thermostat. When properly used, it could save as much as $100 or more off your annual heating bills.