October is Energy Awareness Month

Florida is experiencing an influx of new residents – 1,000 newcomers arrive daily to put down roots in the state renowned for its 1,350 miles of beautiful coastlines, 50,000 miles of inland and coastal rivers and streams, and more than 700 freshwater springs.

With more and more people living among Florida’s natural resources, it is up to individuals as well as government and industry to protect and restore the very resources that make Florida unique.

Twelve days remain in Energy Awareness Month leaving an even dozen opportunities to show support for the cause. Some of the most seemingly insignificant changes in habits can have profound and positive effects on the state’s natural resources allowing the beauty of our environment to be enjoyed by generations to come.

12 simple, conscientious and effective ideas to help conserve energy and protect Florida’s environment:

1. Leaking electricity from electronics costs Americans millions annually (about $750 million a year for TVs and about $600 million a year for VCRs). To avoid electrical leaks, either unplug electronics when not in use or plug into a power strip that can be switched off.
2. Save 90 percent of the energy used in a washing machine’s hot-hot cycle by switching to the warm-cold cycle.
3. A dirty lint filter in a clothes dryer can increase energy use by up to 30 percent. Periodic dryer inspections to ensure the vent is not blocked will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
4. Replace home air conditioning filters monthly, or as directed on packaging.
5. Estimates by EPA have shown that using a computer's ‘sleep mode’ reduces its energy consumption by 60 to 70 percent.
6. Use laptop computers and ink jet printers, if available, since they use 90% less energy than desktop and laser printers.
7. Move the refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum the condenser coils once a year unless it is a no-clean condenser model; refrigerators run for shorter periods when coils are clean.
8. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents which can last up to 10 times longer than old-fashioned bulbs and produce less heat while using only a quarter of the electricity.
9. Use solar lighting in gardens and along pathways or use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a timer so they will be off during daylight hours.
10. Water heating is the third largest energy expense in the home typically accounting for about 14% of the utility bill. Shorter showers, more efficient showerheads and lowering the water heater thermostat can help to decrease this expense.
11. A microwave oven uses 70 to 80 percent less electricity than a regular oven; a toaster oven uses a third to half as much energy as a full-sized oven.
12. The recycling of one glass container saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours.

And don’t forget to mark your calendar for November 15 – America Recycles Day.