Fast Facts
How can I cook efficiently?
When cooking, use your microwave or toaster oven instead of your conventional oven, and use the smallest pan possible when cooking on the stovetop.
How can I save energy and water?
To save energy and water, operate dish and clothes washers only when full and use your dishwasher's energy saving no heat-drying feature, if available.
What is EnergyStar®?
Energy Star is a rating provided by the U.S. Department of Energy for light fixtures and appliances that meet federal energy efficiency and quality guidelines. Energy Star appliances offer significant energy savings.
What is global warming?
Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface air and oceans. It is caused in part by an increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It can cause changes in the patterns, amount, and severity of weather events that can affect agriculture, the spread of disease, and species survival.
How can I heat my home efficiently?
You can heat your home efficiently by setting your thermostat as low in the winter and high in the summer as comfortable. Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners. For every degree you set back your thermostat for 8 hours, you save about 1% of your annual heating costs.
How can I heat my water efficiently?
You can heat your water efficiently by reduce the tank setting to 120ºF and insulate tank and pipes. Use cold water when possible. Use low flow showerheads and faucets.
How can I use my refrigerator to save electricity?
To save electricity, set your refrigerator temperatures between 37ºF and 40ºF for fresh food and 0ºF for the freezer. Vacuum condenser coils (usually located at the back of the refrigerator) once a year to help your refrigerator run more efficiently.
How can I light my home efficiently?
To save electricity, turn off lights when not in use, or install timers, light sensors or occupancy sensors. Change to compact fluorescent lights that give off high-quality light using a fraction of the electricity traditional incandescent lights use.
Why switch to CFLs?
Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) give off high-quality light using a fraction of the electricity traditional incandescent lights use. In fact, CFLs are four times more efficient, use 50 to 80 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs.
What is CO2?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important gas in the earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet naturally by trapping heat from the sun in the earth's atmosphere. This warming is critical for supporting life on the planet. But today, the burning of fossil fuels for electricity is increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air so much that it is causing a rise in the earth's temperature.
What is the link between CO2 and electricity?
Carbon emissions are created when fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are burned at a power plant to produce electricity. The majority of electricity consumed in Maine comes from the burning of two fossil fuels, natural gas and oil. This electricity production results in the release of 2 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year.
What are CFLs?
Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are among the most efficient light bulbs available today. Changing to a CFL can prevent 400 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide), saves $45 over its lifetime, and lasts 6-10 times longer than the average bulb.
What are the biggest home energy users?
The biggest home energy users in order of use are: heating systems, water heaters, refrigerators, air conditioners, washer/dryers, dehumidifiers, home office equipment, and freezers.
