HOUSTON - According to a recent survey, 49 percent of
all Americans will make a green New Year's resolution for 2008. Direct Energy, a
large North American provider of energy and energy-related services is offering
tips to help homeowners keep their green resolutions. "Making a green resolution
is easy since it can yield tremendous benefits, such as reducing energy
consumption, saving money and helping the environment," said Dave Walton,
director of home ideas for Direct Energy. "However, like any New Year's
resolution, keeping that commitment to energy efficiency can be a little harder,
so we wanted to offer these quick and easy tips to help homeowners."
To help homeowners get going, the company is challenging
consumers to start the "seven days of saving challenge" -- quick and easy tips
consumers can adopt each day to make their home more energy-efficient and reduce
their carbon footprint:
-- Change your light bulbs: Year-around, lighting
can account for as much as 25 percent of a home's electrical use. Simply replace
incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights that use up to 75 percent
less energy. Imagine if every American home replaced their five most frequently
used light
fixtures
or bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified models. The estimated savings would amount
to nearly $8 billion dollars a year -- greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions
from nearly 10 million cars!
-- Upgrade to ENERGYSTAR appliances: ENERGYSTAR labeled
products can cut your energy bills by up to 30 percent when you're ready to
replace your heating and cooling systems -- as well as appliances, lighting,
windows, office equipment, and home electronics Consider investing in new
appliances if your budget allows since you should see immediate energy savings.
-- Use the dishwasher more: One load of dishes cleaned in a dishwasher requires
37 percent less water than washing dishes by hand. However, if you fill the wash
and rinse basins instead of letting the water run, you'll use half as much water
as a dishwasher.
-- Unplug the charger on your cell phone: When portable
devices such as a Blackberry(TM), cell phone, or iPod(TM) are finished charging,
disconnect the device and unplug the charger. Even if the device isn't
connected, energy continues to seep out through the charger itself. -- Purchase
a Rug in the season's newest color -- Green. A rug is not only a decorator's
must have, but it also helps insulate your floors and cut down on the noise too.
-- Let the sunshine in. Open the drapes or blinds
on sunny days and bask in the 'free' heat. Keep those south-facing windows
squeaky clean to let the light through. Remember to close the drapes or blinds
when the sun sets.
-- Renewable
energy
does not only include solar panels and windmills on your home. Start thinking
about what is right for you and your family. Direct Energy also purchases
electricity from renewable energy sources with solar
panels,
windmills and other technologies. By purchasing a Direct Energy product, you are
also purchasing renewable energy. For those who really want to challenge
themselves in 2008, Direct Energy encourages consumers to join Energy Star's
"Change a Light" campaign and pledge to save on their personal energy usage.
Take the pledge to change even one incandescent light
bulb in your house to a CFL bulb. You are guaranteed to achieve savings in
energy consumption, and reduce your energy costs.
To learn more: http://www.directenergy.com/ or
energystar.gov.