1. Opt out for credit card offers: Call 888-567-8688. This will allow you to be removed from the list for 3 major consumer reporting companies. You can also opt out online at OptOutPreScreen.com, which is the official consumer credit reporting industry opt-out website.
2. To get your name removed from many national direct mail lists:
Write to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 643, Carmel NY 10512
3. If you travel on the New York State Thruway or the 190 or 290 around Buffalo, get an EZPass for thruway toll use. This will cut down on your idling time and gas use. Register www.e-zpassny.com
4. Do you need to save large files for use on other computers? Use a USB Flash drive instead of burning CDs or use CD-RW disks so that you can erase and reuse your CDs. Flash drives plug into the USB port of computers and can be used as an additional drive for your computer. They are available in different storage sizes, so select one that fits your needs.
5. Set your computer and monitor to sleep mode when not in use. Computers and monitors use significantly less power and the recovery time from sleep mode is just a matter of seconds. Remember screen savers do not conserve energy and are not the same thing as sleep mode. If you need help in configuring your computer for sleep mode or want more information, check out www.energy-solution.com/off-equip/configuring-monitors.html
6. Want information on improving energy efficiency in your home? Want to know about programs for subsidized loans or matching funds to make home improvements? Check out www.getenergysmart.com. This website also has information Energy-Star products, so check it out before you buy your next appliance.
*Use a Cistern to Collect Rainwater-1,000 square feet of roof or pavement can collect 420 gallons of water from 1 inch of rain. Connect a garbage can to your downspouts to catch rainwater. You can attach a spigot and hose to the can to make it easy for watering or washing your car.
*Use a soil probe to test soil moisture-Water only when a soil probe shows dry soil or a screwdriver is difficult to push into the soil.
*Water the lawn only when needed-Step on the grass; if it springs back up when you move your foot, it does not need water.
*Don't water the pavement-Position sprinklers to water only vegetation and minimize watering during windy conditions so that sprinklers water their target areas.
*Use drip irrigation systems around trees and shrubs-hoses with perforations allow water to drip and flow slowly to roots, thus reducing evaporation.
*Change your mowing practices-mow as infrequently as possible, mow higher than normal and leave mulched clippings on the lawn.
*Use a broom to clean the driveway and sidewalk-save energy by not using a mechanical blower and water by not hosing off these surfaces.
*Turn off the water while washing the car-wet the car, then turn off the water. Use a bucket of water while soaping the car and turn on the hose for a final rinse. Soapy water can be used on plants and helps keep off pest insects.
2. Outdoor Areas
*Replace outdoor lighting with a motion-detector equipped bulb or fixture. Using a bulb or fixture with a motion detector saves on your power bill.
*Protect your stormwater drains-only rain should go down the drains, do not pour chemicals or allow oil spills to run off into drains.
4. Install a solar-powered attic fan-cooling a poorly ventilated attic helps reduce the deterioration of roof surfaces, while cooling the rest of the house.
5. Encourage end of the school year recycling- items from college dorms or school classrooms can be collected and sold with proceeds going to nonprofits. Visit http://www.dumpandrun.org/
