Choose one energy-draining room in your home and unplug all electronics at the end of each day.

What’s In It For the Planet?

  • Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity produces a huge amount of air pollution, primarily in the form of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, and mercury.
  • Even when you think your TV, home theater equipment, and stereos are turned off, they are still using electricity equivalent to a 75 or 100watt light bulb running continuously. (NRDC)
  • Wind and solar power are clean, renewable energy sources that only minimally threaten ecosystems and wildlife.
  • Some states generate their electricity through oil or coal, but California relies mainly on natural gas, the cleanest-burning fossil fuel.

What’s In It For Me?

Maybe it’s a drag to unplug all electronics when you’re not using them, but turning off a room measures up big, especially in your pocketbook.

If you don’t want to take our word for it, check out your energy bill. Compare the cost difference before and after you started turning off a room, and we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the savings. You can also look into using surge protectors and power strips to help ease the burden of unplugging a bunch of electronics and to ensure you don’t lose some technological functionality when you turn something off. And if you really want to go the extra mile, learn more about energy-efficiency tax credits. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – part of the new Stimulus Bill – provides tax credits to homeowners who use energy-efficient products.

How has your new energy-conserving habit changed your life? Share your story with others who are also taking steps to live greener today.

Finding the Sacred in…Turning Off a Room

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
- Aldo Leopold

Wanna Learn More?

Play Energy Quest with your kids

Visit the Exploratorium and read their online Science Snacks

Teach kids about energy conservation

Learn how to conserve more energy in your home

Read Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring

Check out the Green Museum

Learn about self-sufficient urban living in
The Urban Homestead

 

“I believe that the average guy in the street will give up a great deal, if he really understands the cost of not giving it up. In fact, we may find that, while we’re drastically cutting our energy consumption, we’re actually raising our standard of living.”
- David Brower

 

Wanna Do More?

  • Turn off the lights when you leave a room and rely on natural sunlight whenever possible. This alone can shave 10% off your energy bill.
  • Unplug your phone charger when you’re not using it. Anything plugged into the wall is still sucking energy, even if it’s not in use.
  • Put your computer to sleep when you’re not using it.
  • Wash your clothes in cold water as often as possible and always rinse in cold. Cold water uses less energy than
    hot water.
  • Line-dry your clothing!
  • When you’re at the office, turn out lights in unused conference rooms.

Have some suggestions of your own? Share them on HabitChat.