“Thinking Green” is about developing and creating a lifestyle based on environmentally friendly habits which reduce the amount of energy and natural resources you use on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. All households rely on electricity to meet basic every day needs. This includes heating, cooling, lighting and the pumping of water. Each day you use electricity to perform daily tasks. Recently, the price of electricity has risen. Many households are looking for ways to reduce the monthly cost of electricity. By practicing prudent conservation, you can reduce the amount you pay and save on electricity. Use Energy Star appliances, light fixtures and bulbs.

Appliances & Electronics

• Turn off lights, appliances, electronics ( ie stereo, computers, TV) when not in use. Do not use stand by modes on computer and electronics. Home electronic products use energy when they’re off to power features like clock displays and remote controls. U.S. households spend $100 per year to power devices while they are in this “standby” power mode.
• The proper maintenance and use of house hold appliance can reduce electric consumption by 20% to 40%. A refrigerator alone can use up to 25% of your house electric budget. A typical house hold microwave, oven and stove use 200 to 700 kwh annually. Use the following guidelines to reduce your electric usage.

Refrigerator

• Keep the fridge as full as possible
• Make sure that the refrigerator is not placed against outside facing wall or walls exposed to the sunlight.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer at the right temperature. If they are only 2-3 degrees colder than necessary, your energy consumption may go up by approx. 25 %.
• Clean the area beneath and around your refrigerator on a quarterly basis. This allows better air flow around the units allowing more efficient heat transfer.
• Make sure the door is sealed tightly. If it’s not, you’re wasting energy.
• Do not put uncovered liquids in the refrigerator. The liquids give off vapors that add to the compressor workload.
• Allow hot food to cool off before putting it in the refrigerator.
• Plan ahead and remove all ingredients for each meal at one time.

Ovens, Stoves, & Microwaves

• When cooking with electric set timers to minimized cooking time
  Every time you open your oven door during cooking, you lose 5 to 7 degrees or more.
• Check the seal on your oven door to see if there are cracks or tears in it
  Develop the habit of “lids-on” cooking to permit lower temperature settings.
  Keep reflector pans beneath stovetop heating elements bright and clean.
  Carefully measure water used for cooking to avoid having to heat more than is needed.
• Begin cooking on highest heat until liquid begins to boil. Then lower the heat control settings and allow food to simmer until fully cooked.
• Cook as much of the meal in the oven at one time as possible.
• Rearrange oven shelves before turning your oven on – and don’t peek at food in the oven!
• Every time you open the oven door, 4°-5° C is lost.
• There is no need to preheat the oven for broiling or roasting.When preheating an oven for baking, time the preheat period carefully. Five to eight minutes should be sufficient.
• Microwaves use around 50% less energy than conventional ovens and cooks for much shorter periods. Thus, microwaves are more efficient for cooking small portions and defrosting.

Electric Conservation Cooling

• Don’t switch your air conditioner thermostat to a colder setting when you first turn it on. It won’t cool your home any faster and it will waste energy when you forget to turn it back up.
• Minimize the amount of direct heat entering your home by pulling shades and curtains on hot days.
• Maintain you’re heating and cooling equipment through a Planned Maintenance Program, which should include filter changes, condenser coil and fan coil cleaning.
• Have your air conditioning unit checked every 6 months. If the Freon level is not correct, you will waste a lot of energy and your home will never be as cool as you want it.
• Every time you open a door you’re letting in new air that needs to be de-humidified, thus making your air conditioner work much harder. Set the temperature as high as possible while still being comfortable.
• Set your thermostat to as high as comfort permits, may be a few degrees higher. When the weather is mild, turn off the AC and open the windows. You can use combination of AC with ceiling fan.Ceiling fans consume as little energy as a 60 watt bulb. Ceiling fans are often used instead of air conditioning, but it’s not necessarily one or the other. Fans produce air currents that carry heat away from the skin, so even air conditioned rooms feel cooler when one is running.
• Use Programmable Thermostat and make sure lamps are not placed to close to thermostats.
• Close your blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day to block the sun’s natural heat.
• Be sure furniture, rugs and draperies don’t block central cooling registers. Close cooling vents in unused rooms and keep doors to unused rooms closed.
• To cool your house efficiently, you air conditioner has to be cool itself. So try to keep it in the shade. An air conditioner exposed to direct sunlight uses 5 percent more energy than a shaded one. If your air conditioner is already in the sun, you can build a simple shade screen for it.
• Don’t block the air flow at the back of the Air Conditioner.

Electric Conservation Heating

• Don’t switch your thermostat to a higher setting when you first turn it on. It won’t heat your home any faster and it will waste energy when you forget to turn it back down.
• Take advantage of the sun’s natural heat. On sunny days, leave blinds and draperies open to let the sun’s rays warm your home.
• Maintain you’re heating and cooling equipment through a Planned Maintenance Program, which should include filter changes, heat exchanger cleaning,and fan coil cleaning.
• Be sure furniture, rugs or draperies don’t block central heating registers.
• Monitor thermostat settings regularly. Programmable thermostats our an economical investment and cost effective way of conserving energy
• Utilize ceiling fans where available. Ceiling fans save energy in reverse as this pushes warm air caught near the ceiling down to where you can feel it.

Appliances

• When cooking with gas set timers to minimized cooking time
• Every time you open your oven door during cooking, you lose 5 to 7 degrees or more.
• Check the seal on your oven door to see if there are cracks or tears in it
• Develop the habit of “lids-on” cooking to permit lower temperature settings.
• Keep reflector pans beneath stovetop heating elements bright and clean.
• Carefully measure water used for cooking to avoid having to heat more than is needed.
• Begin cooking on highest heat until liquid begins to boil. Then lower the heat control settings and allow food to simmer until fully cooked.
• Cook as much of the meal in the oven at one time as possible.
• Rearrange oven shelves before turning your oven on – and don’t peek at food in the oven!
• Every time you open the oven door, 4°-5° C is lost.
• There is no need to preheat the oven for broiling or roasting.When preheating an oven for baking, time the preheat period carefully. Five to eight minutes should be sufficient.

Natural Gas Conservation Heating

• Don’t switch your thermostat to a higher setting when you first turn it on. It won’t heat your home any faster and it will waste energy when you forget to turn it back down.
• Take advantage of the sun’s natural heat. On sunny days, leave blinds and draperies open to let the sun’s rays warm your home.
• Maintain you’re heating and cooling equipment through a Planned Maintenance Program, which should include filter changes, heat exchanger cleaning,and fan coil cleaning.
• Be sure furniture, rugs or draperies don’t block central heating registers.
• Monitor thermostat settings regularly. Programmable thermostats our an economical investment and cost effective way of conserving energy
• Utilize ceiling fans where available. Ceiling fans save energy in reverse as this pushes warm air caught near the ceiling down to where you can feel it.

Water Conservation Tips

“Thinking Green” is often related to air pollution and carbon emissions but fresh water supplies are falling throughout the World. Did you know only 1% of the earth’s water supply is available for drinking? That is why conserving water makes sense. As supplies fall and demand increases so will the cost you pay for water.

Reducing water usage decreases our cost of water and also waste disposal “sewer”. Additionally, the United States water and sewer infrastructures including water supply pipes, waste drain pipes and waste treatment plants are aging, requiring costly investment by local utility companies. “Thinking Green” is both an ethical lifestyle choice and an economic choice.

Bathrooms

• Toilets are the largest water and sewer user of all fixtures. They also have reputation of leaking so check and adjust your toilets regularly.
• Reduce flushing of the toilet. DO NOT USE THE TOILET AS A TRASH CAN. Use a conveniently located trash can for tissues, gum wrappers, cigarette butts, bugs, diapers, or other things which belong in the trash.
• Take short showers instead of baths and save 5 to 15 gallons of water.
• Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing up.

Clothes Washing

• Use proper water levels when washing. Run the clothes washer with a full load, matching the water level with the size of the load. A load of laundry uses approximately 50 gallons of water. A front loading washer uses 1/3 the water of a traditional washer.
• When doing laundry make sure you only wash full loads or set your washer for lesser loads.
• When washing cars use a bucket for soapy water and use the hose only for rinsing.

Kitchen

• Only run the dishwasher when it is full. Load the dishwasher properly to maximize load and ensure efficient water circulation. You can save additional water by scraping dishes instead of pre-rinsing them before placing them in the dishwasher.
• Don’t bother rinsing dishes in the sink. Scrape dishes clean and let the dishwasher do the rest. If washing by hand do not leave the water running while washing.
• Don’t leave water running while cleaning vegetables or preparing food. Put a stopper in the sink.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator or use ice so you don’t have to leave water running endlessly.
• Reuse dirty water to water plants and vegetation.

• Keep combustibles (paper products, curtains and other things that burn) away from heat sources like stoves, fireplaces and heaters.
• Store and use flammable liquids (gas, kerosene) only when outside in well-ventilated areas – and only use them under adult supervision.
• Never use an electric appliance if you are wet or standing in water.
• Always unplug power tools or appliances before trying to clean, adjust or move them.
• Check the wattage of all bulbs in light fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the fixture.
• Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire.
• Replace missing or broken electrical plates.
• Make sure electrical cords are in good shape.
• Electrical cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or other objects.
• Do not place cords under carpets, rugs or other furniture.
• Do not over load extension cords.
• Make sure all electrical outlets and extension cord have safety closures to prevent young children from shock hazards and burns.
• Make sure your plug fits the electrical outlet. Never remove the ground pin (Third Prong) to fit a into a two prong outlet.
• Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters “GFCI’s” where water and electricity may come in contact.
• Outdoor Safety
  • Check for power lines in trees before using a ladder (even a wooden ladder) or scaffolding.
  • Check for power lines running through or near trees before trimming branches. Install antennas away from power lines.
  • Never go near or touch a fallen power line. Call your local Electric Utility or 911.
  • Do not throw anything over or at a power line, substation, or transformer.
• If a power line falls on your car, stay in the car and try to drive away. Do not touch the metal parts of the car. If you can’t drive, wait for help. Call 911 for assistance if you have a cellular phone. If you must get out of the car, jump clear without touching the car and the ground at the same time.

• Natural Gas is colorless, shapeless and odorless in its pure form. A sulfur-containing organic compound called mercaptan is added prior to distribution to give it an odor to help detect possible leaks.
• Natural Gas is formed primarily of Methane.
• Natural Gas accounts
  • 24% of the energy consumed
  • 43% Industrial use
  • 22% residential use
  • 14% commercial use
  • 18% is for electric generation
• Natural gas becomes a liquid at –260 F at normal pressures
• According to the Department of Energy, natural gas is the lowest cost conventional energy source. It costs nearly 30% less per BTU than any other conventional source.
• More homes in the United States are heated with natural gas than any other energy sources.
• When natural gas is burned it produces mostly carbon dioxide and water vapor.
• These are the same substances emitted when people breathe.

• Water is an odorless, tasteless, transparent liquid at room temperature.
• There is the same amount of water on Earth today as there was 2 billion years ago.
• Earth’s water is:
  • 97% Salt Water
  • 2.8% Fresh Water
  • 0.6% Ground Water
  • 0.1% Lakes and Streams
  • 2.2% Captured in glaciers and icecaps
  • 0.001 atmosphere
• Only 1% is available for human consumption.
• Over 75% of the earth fresh water is located in the Midwestern United States.
• A human body is 60% water.
• The human brain is 70% water.
• A tree is 75% Water.
• A human can survive about a month without food but only 5 to 7 days without water.
• On average, each American uses about 160 gallons of water a day.
• It takes about 39,000 gallons of water to produce the average auto, including tires.
• One Gallon of Gasoline can contaminate 750,000 gallons of water.

Water Micro Facts

The typical person spends less than 1% of their personal expended dollars for water, waste water and waste water disposal.

• Two thirds of water usage in the average home is used in the Bathroom (ie showers, baths and flushing).
  • A toilet flush uses up to 7 gallons water.
  • A tap uses about 5 gallons a minute. On average the typical person uses 2 gallons of water to brush their teeth.
  • A shower uses 5 to 10 gallons a minute. A 10-minute shower uses 55 gallons of water.

• Keep combustibles (paper products, curtains and other things that burn) away from heat sources like stoves, fireplaces and heaters.
• Store and use flammable liquids (gas, kerosene) only when outside in well-ventilated areas – and only use them under adult supervision.
• Never use an electric appliance if you are wet or standing in water
• Always unplug power tools or appliances before trying to clean, adjust or move them.
• Check the wattage of all bulbs in light fixtures to make sure they are the correct wattage for the fixture.
• Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire.
• Replace missing or broken electrical plates.
• Make sure electrical cords are in good shape.
• Electrical cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or other objects.
• Do not place cords under carpets, rugs or other furniture
• Do not over load extension cords.
• Make sure all electrical outlets and extension cord have safety closures to prevent young children from shock hazards and burns.
• Make sure your plug fits the electrical outlet. Never remove the ground pin (Third Prong) to fit a into a two prong outlet.
• Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters “GFCI’s” where water and electricity may come in contact.
• Outdoor Safety
  • Check for power lines in trees before using a ladder (even a wooden ladder) or scaffolding
  • Check for power lines running through or near trees before trimming branches.
  • Install antennas away from power lines. Never go near or touch a fallen power line.
  • Call your local Electric Utility or 911.
  • Do not throw anything over or at a power line, substation, or transformer.
• If a power line falls on your car, stay in the car and try to drive away. Do not touch the metal parts of the car. If you can’t drive, wait for help. Call 911 for assistance if you have a cellular phone. If you must get out of the car, jump clear without touching the car and the ground at the same time.

• Keep combustibles (paper products, curtains and other things that burn) away from heat sources like stoves, fireplaces and heaters. Avoid using or storing these products near the furnace: paint stripper, fabric or water softener, bleach, adhesives, or salt for melting ice. The chlorine or fluorine in these items can lead to furnace corrosion.
• Store and use flammable liquids (gas, kerosene) only when outside in well-ventilated areas-and only use them under adult supervision.
• Keep forced-air furnace filters clean. Clean the filters or replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• If your owner’s manual recommends it, oil the furnace fan, motor and bearings.
• Keep your heat registers and cold-air returns clean so the air can flow properly.
• Also, arrange your furniture and drapes so they don’t block the air flow. Have a qualified heating contractor inspect your furnace or boiler annually.
• A properly tuned furnace saves energy and helps avoid costly repairs. Check the flue to make sure it is clean and open.
• Any fuel that does not burn completely can create harmful levels of carbon monoxide (CO). CO is a gas with no color, odor or taste. It can collect in your home if a fuel-burning appliance isn’t working properly or venting, as it should.

• Natural gas has an odorant added to it at the local gas gate station so that is has a distinct, pungent odor for ease in detection. Leaking gas can cause an explosion and/or fire, so if there is a weak smell of natural gas detected:
  • Open the windows and doors– natural gas is lighter than air so it will quickly ventilate.
  • Check for an extinguished pilot light – if it is out, wait for the gas odor to dissipate before re-lighting any pilot light.
  • Check to see if the range’s burner has been left in an on position – then simply turn it off and follow the safety rules until the odor has dissipated.
• If the source of the odor cannot be detected:
  • Immediately…get everyone out of the house.
  • Do not use a lighter or matches.
  • Do not turn any electrical switches or lights to the on or off position.
  • Call the local Gas Company from a neighbor’s house; or use a cell phone when safely outside of the home.

Note: If a strong odor of natural gas is detected do not follow the above instructions. Instead

• Call PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, A QUALIFIED PLUMBER, OR A HVAC/MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR IMMEDIATELY.
• IF THE ODOR IS STRONG CONTACT YOUR LOCAL GAS COMPANY OR 911
• Do not turn any lights or electrical appliances on or off.
• Open the windows and door to ventilate your apartment.
• If the odor is very strong, do not use your telephone– leave and report it from another telephone.
• Do not re-enter your apartment until Physical Plant Maintenance has declared it safe to do so.

Carbon Monoxide is a chemical compound of carbon and oxygen with the formula CO. It is a colorless, odorless gas, about 3 percent lighter than air and is poisonous to all warm-blooded animals and many other forms of life. When inhaled it combines with hemoglobin in the blood, preventing absorption of oxygen and resulting in asphyxiation.

Examples of carbon monoxide producing devices commonly in use around the home include, fuel fired furnaces (non-electric), gas water heaters, fireplaces and woodstoves, gas stoves, gas dryers, charcoal grills. It also includes types of fuel driven engines like lawnmowers, snow blowers and automobiles. Carbon monoxide is a part of everyday life.

The following is a checklist for where to look for problem sources of CO in the home:

• A forced air furnace is frequently the source of leaks and should be carefully inspected.
  • Measure the concentration of carbon monoxide in the flue gases.
  • Check furnace connections to flue pipes and venting systems to the outside of the home for signs of corrosion, rust gaps, holes.
  • Check furnace filters and filtering systems for dirt and blockage.
  • Check forced air fans for proper installation and to assure correct air flow of flue gases. Improper furnace blower installation can result in carbon monoxide build-up because toxic gas is blown into rather than out of the house.
  • Check the combustion chamber and internal heat exchanger for cracks, holes, metalfatigue or corrosion. Be sure they are clean and free of debris.
  • Check burners and ignition system. A flame that is mostly yellow in color in natural gas fired furnaces is often a sign that the fuel is not burning completely and higher levels of carbon monoxide are being released. Oil furnaces with similar problems can give off an oily odor. Remember you can’t smell carbon monoxide.
• Check all venting systems to the outside including flues and chimneys for cracks, corrosion, holes, debris, blockages. Animals and birds can build nests in chimneys preventing gases from escaping.
• Check all other appliances in the home that use flammable fuels such as natural gas, oil, propane, wood or kerosene. Appliances include water heaters, clothes dryers, kitchen ranges, ovens or cook tops: wood burning stoves, gas refrigerators.
• Pilot lights can be a source of carbon monoxide because the by-products of combustion are released inside the home rather than vented outside.
• Be sure space heaters are vented properly. Unvented space heaters that use a flammable fuel such as kerosene can release carbon monoxide into the home
• Barbecue grills should never be operated indoors under any circumstances nor should stove tops or ovens that operate on flammable fuels be used to heat a residence.
• Check for closed, blocked or bent flues, soot and debris.
• Check the clothes dryer vent opening outside the house for lint.