Natural and Sustainable

Cut back on pollution and save as much as $1,400 on annual energy bills with these easy household tips.

Go low-flow: To reduce hot-water consumption (and thus energy needs) federal legislation mandated improved showerhead efficiency for models made after 1994. Replace older models with ones that spray no more than 2.5 gallons per minute.

Potential Annual Savings: $145 + 370lbs emissions.

Lose the old fridge: Refrigerators use more electricity than any other appliance. Older ones are worse, so give top priority to replacing a pre-1993 fridge.

Potential Annual Savings: $70 + 1,720 lbs. emissions.

Adjust your water heater: Lower your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees to restrict heat loss. The exception: dishwashers. Check if yours has a “booster heater” for sanitizing 140-degree rinsing.

Potential Annual Savings: $450 + 215 lbs. emmissions.

Fill the dishwasher: Energy Star dishwashers can be more efficent than hand washing. Run full loads, air dry, and skip the prerinsing (most newer models don’t need it).

Potential Annual Savings: $25 +110 lbs. emissions.

Upgrade windows: Single-and even some double-pane clear glass windows can force heating and cooling systems to work overtime. Energy Star- qualified windows with insulating glazes, gas fills, and better framing materials deliver the best results.

Potential Annual Savings: $95 + 2,200 lbs. emmissions.

Change lightbulbs: Compact flourescent lightbulbs (CFLs) consume a quarter of the electricity required by comparable incandescent bulbs and last up to 12 times longer. Maximize savings by changing at least five frequently used bulbs.

Potential Annual Savings: $60 +770lbs. emissions.

Moderate the thermostat: Lower the thermostat by just two degrees this winter, and up the thermostat in the summer to conserve energy without sacrificing comfort. Turn it down 10 degrees at night and when you’r not home-or install a programmable thermostat for automatic adjustments.

Potential Annual Savings: $100 + 500lbs. emissions.

Wash in cold water: About 90 percent of the energy used for a load of laundry goes to heating the water. Some stains demand hot water, as do bed linens (to kill dust mites). Wash all other loads in cold.

Potential Annual Savings: $300 + 330lbs. emissions.

Switch off electronics: Many household appliance continue to suck electricity even when switched off; nationally, this creates he annual emissions equivalent of 17 power plants. Minimize leaks by unplugging idle electronics.

Potential Annual Savings: $200 + 480lbs. emissions.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Want to reduce your eco-footprint and energy use even further? Consider replacing outdated small appliances like TVs and DVD players with energy-efficient models. In doing so, Americans could prevent more than 25 billion pounds of greehouse gas emissions in a year-equivalent to taking 3 million cars off the road. Granted, you can’t replace every gadget. But, when you’re looking to buy, choose products with a label from Energy Star. Some bear higher price tags, but lower operating costs make up for the difference over time.