It seems a bit backwards that we let our temporary homes act as parasites to our communal Home, the one that provides us with everything we need. Your house can live in harmony with the environment extremely easily.

 

Don't use the fact that you rent or do not live in a single family home as an excuse to avoid action! Most of these initiatives can be performed anywhere, and you can easily talk to your landlord about the money and resources that can be saved through energy-reducing initiatives.

 

Search for hundreds of energy-saving rebates and incentives in your area

 

 

. Appliances: 29%

 

Use energy-efficient appliances!
There's no logical reason to use energy guzzling appliances. Low energy appliances are better for the earth, better for your health, and better on your wallet - they can save you around $80 every year on energy bills. You can find an energy-efficient version for just about every product that uses electricity on the ENERGY STAR label website Look for the EnergyGuide Label when shopping for major appliances Get free energy-efficient appliances and installation for low income qualified residents

 

Get paid to lower your refrigerator and freezer energy use (26%)
Get paid $100 (LADWP, SCE)to buy an ENERGY Star refrigerator Keep your refrigerator in a cool shady spot, and if possible away from the stove, oven and dishwasher Turn up the thermostat 5 degrees and save 18%-22% of energy, or 100kWh per year: set the refrigerator to 36-38 degrees and the freezer to 0-5 degrees. Downsize: do you really need all that space and noise? Get paid to recycle your old one through refrigerator and freezer recycling programs Regularly clean the coils underneath and in back to improve efficiency; check for tight door seals Calculate how much you'll save on a new refrigerator If you refuse to downsize, buy a power controller for $30-$60

 

Use the sun as your clothes dryer - it's free (2%)
If you can't part with your dryer calculate how much $ you'd save with an energy-efficient washer / dryer

 

Minimize standby power (13%)
13% of your electricity bill is being used for things you thought weren't even on: even when not in use, electronics draw a current Unplug your chargers - you can save almost 200 lbs of CO2 annually. Use a power strip to easily turn off electric current to electronics like TVs, DVD players, satellite broadcasting tuners, electric ovens, idle washing machines and dish washers, computers, speakers, coffee makers and anything with a red 'standby' light Never let your computer revert to screen saver: if it's idle, turn the screen off! The monitor is using the most power. Use a laptop when possible.

 

Track and control your electricity use
Studies have shown that gadgets which allow users to easily see how much energy their activity is using will greatly reduce energy used The government in Ontario, Canada has ruled for smart meters to be installed in every home and small business by 2010: don't wait for your government to get smart, buy one yourself, monitor your energy load online, or find out about smart meter monitoring in the future.

 

Get paid 20% of your bill for becoming more energy-efficient

 

Get an off-switch for your house
The EnergyLock door latch shows you the energy use at the moment you leave your house and provides a switch to turn off all devices except for the ones you've programmed to remain on

 

Use a microwave to do the cooking
It's faster and uses 70-80% less energy than an oven

 

Cool the lights already - it's too easy (16%)
You already know that compact fluorescents are 75% more efficient and last 10 times as long as incandescents. Don't wait any longer to change your lights, inside and outside, and save at least $30 over the life of the bulb.
-Search for the perfect bulb here, and rebates here
-Even better, get some dimmable compact fluorescents
-Get some solar lights for outside needs
-Some LED lights only need 1W! That's 99% energy savings from a 100W incandescent. Calculate your $ savings from LEDs
-Use lighting controls: dimmers, motion sensors, occupancy sensors, photosensors, or timers. The purchase will save you money in the long run

 

Use green furniture and materials for your home
You can find everything low-VOC flooring and paint to bathroom fixtures and salvaged wood cabinets on the GreenHomeGuide

 

 

 

. Space Conditioning: 53%

 

Eliminate air conditioning! (or get an efficient one for up to $100 back)
Did you know one tree can provide the equivalent cooling of 5 air conditioners?
-Plant trees outside your windows and on east and west walls of your house to keep it shaded and cool.
-Use vegetation inside to condition your space. Get free trees for shade
-Use a fan: get $100 back
-Attach horizontal and vertical shades or shutters to the outside of your windows to block the sun from entering during hot weather
-Install double glazed or low-e coated windows to reduce solar gain with $1/sq ft rebate; for a lower cost solution install and use blinds, especially during hot hours like sunset
-Open a window! If you don't live near the ocean, a small outdoor pond or strategically placed water jars in the breeze path can significantly cool down the incoming air. Open windows on opposite walls to create cross-ventilation.
-Install highly reflective and emissive roofing material on your roof: $.10-.20/sq ft cool roof rebate
-External shades and hanging plants can reduce air conditioning needs 85%

 

Adjust your clothing level and use blankets before you turn on the air

 

Install heavy curtains and pelmets to reduce heating needs almost 40%

 

Make sure you have an excellent source of thermal mass
Thermal mass is a material which is high in mass which can store a large amount of energy, such as earth, water or concrete. This mass will mediate the temperature by releasing coolth or warmth when the space needs it, much like the earth keeps basements cool in the summertime. Install mudbrick or concrete floors, stone or concrete walls, tables and other furniture of marble, concrete or other high mass, outdoor ponds, indoor gardens, or get creative and create a wall of recycled bottles filled with soil or water.

 

Maximize your insulation
- Insulating your house is easy and cheap with huge energy and $ savings. Add it to your floors, walls, ceilings, roof, and use double glazed windows.
- Use timber instead of aluminum window frames to reduce energy transfer 18%
- Fill in leaky insulation: make sure it extends to the edges of walls; hold up your hands or incense to outlets and light switches to check for drafts. One weak link in the insulation will cause a huge energy loss.
- Find out the economic level of insulation for a house in your zip code: ZIP-Code Insulation Program
- To find a full list of different types of insulation, a comparison, and installation techniques, check out the insulation section in the Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

 

 

Seal air leaks
Seal any cracks in walls and add weather stripping to spaces under doors and around windows
A comprehensive list of different types of weather stripping, their uses, cost, and advantages and disadvantages can be found in the Consumer's Guide section on weatherstripping

 

 

 

. Water: 17%

 

Take a shower instead of a bath
A bath tub requires 70 gallons of water while a 4 minute shower uses 8 to 20 gallons. Plug the drain during cold weather and open the bathroom door when you're done to heat your house

 

Get a 4-minute shower timer
Save water, save energy: get in and get out

 

Install water-efficient taps and appliances
Look for the WaterSense label when buying appliances
Install a low-flow showerhead
Attach water aerators to all your faucets: it's easy, just screw them on

 

Install a solar hot water heater Payback time for solar hot water can be as little as 2 to 4 years. Unlike photovoltaics, solar thermal systems are extremely reliable, can function efficiently in overcast conditions and are comparatively durable with low maintenance. There is no reason why every residency in our climate shouldn't have one.

 

Receive a $150 rebate on a high efficiency clothes washer

 

Wash with cold water Around 5% of your home carbon emissions can be eliminated by using cold water in the washing machine - and your clothes will be just as clean!
Switch to an energy efficient washer to save around 66% of water used
Wash only full loads of laundry and always make sure to select the appropriate load size on the dial

 

Get a high efficiency toilet rebate in Santa Monica or search for your area