Forgetting to turn the light off in the room we just left…not only an easy thing to do, but also the cause of a lot of wasted energy. An easy solution: leverage technology (even if it is low-tech) to help save electricity by installing timer switches on the rooms that you often enter and leave often.
Here are a couple different styles of timer switches you can use. Both of them are an easy DIY project!
This switch style, made my Leviton and available through Amazon is a digital timer that can …

Now that Earth Day has come and passed, hopefully you took a few ideas away from the fairs and festivals to practice at home.  But, what about the place where you spend 40 hours a week?  That’s right, the office.  Not only can you save the company a bit of cash, but you can do your part to conserve resources.  By recycling where possible we can reduce the amount of energy used to create new products.   Here are some ideas to explore at your next company meeting:
 
 
 

Recycle paper products – …

For most people, the word sustainability and a career in environmental conservation, is considered new. However, Michael Laurie, owner of Watershed L.L.C. based in Vashon, Washington, sustainability and a career revolving around environmental activism is something he has been doing for over 25 years! He is currently a sustainability consultant specializing in indoor and outdoor water efficiency. He has a BS in Environmental Science from Western Washington University, an Associate of Technical Arts in Energy Management from Edmonds Community College, and a Masters …

Earth Day is April 22nd and will be here before you know it.  In case you haven’t solidified your plans yet, here is a list of 5 things to do with the whole family to encourage energy conservation.

-Visit an Earth Day event in your area to hear about water and energy conservation tips, and techniques.  To find an even in your area visit Earth Day Network to find a location near you.

-Bike to the local Home Depot to pick up a free EcoSmart compact fluorescent light bulb.  This deal begins …

While I may have gotten carried away with three letter acronyms in the title of this post, energy savings in your home achieved through the use of energy efficient bulbs is no laughing matter! Energy efficient bulbs can save you hundreds of dollars every year on your electricity bill. CFL, which stands for compact fluorescent lamp, is a popular energy saving replacement to your old incandescent bulbs, as they generally use less power, and have a longer rated life. However, there are a few downsides to these bulbs, in that …

It is time to take control of our utility and water bills.  States across the nation are experiencing rising rates, California’s water rates are rising up to 40% in the next 2 years, if it wasn’t time for action before, it certainly is now.  Please do not think that this list should only hit home for the people already facing rolling blackouts and water restrictions.  We all need to do our part to conserve resources, even if your rates haven’t gone up yet, it has affected us all.  Yes, I …

Vampire Power sometimes called ‘Phantom Load’, or ‘Standby Power’, however much less dramatic, is the creepy little name that describes what is happening when appliances remain plugged in when they aren’t in use.  When they remain plugged in, small amounts of electricity are being sucked up by the device so it can turn on with one click of the remote.  Those small amounts of electricity add up over time and can affect your wallet and your drain on the grid.  **Please note that garlic, and stakes are not the solution …

Photo: (somewhereinAK)
Why does this save electricity?
Because when you turn them off there is no ‘Vampire Power’ (<a href=”http://conservationtutorials.org/?p=81″ target=”_self”>See previous post</a>)
Having all your devices connected to power strips makes it easy to switch them all off. It’s like unplugging all your stuff with one flick of a switch.
Offices could save a TON of money by switching off their power strips at night!