As cool weather finally sets in, energy efficiency is on people’s minds. Last month, we gave you some tips on efficiency related to heating and cooling, and this month we have provided additional actions you can take to reduce your energy use, your impact on the environment, and your bills.

Remember that most of our electricity is generated in coal-fired power plants, which are the second largest contributor to metro Atlanta’s poor air quality, behind cars and trucks. Reducing your electricity use will reduce emissions associated with it and thus help clean the air. Natural gas is also used to produce electricity and, while it is a much cleaner source of energy, natural gas companies are pressuring the federal government to allow exploration for new sources in new areas, such as offshore and on federal lands, which are often sensitive environmental areas. So reducing your use of either electricity or natural gas will benefit the environment.

Make saving energy a game with your family. Begin using these tips and see how much energy and money you can save!

1. Turn off lights, televisions, computers, stereos, and all appliances not in use. This seems pretty basic, but truthfully many of us are simply not in the habit of turning things off when we are not using them. Leaving on the lights, television, computer, and other appliances can result in significant - and easily avoidable - energy use and costs. A 25-27 inch screen television uses 90 watts of electricity when on, a 30-36 inch television uses 114 watts of electricity while in use, and televisions 39 inches and more use 142 watts of electricity while active. A study done in 1999 found that televisions and VCRs account for 3.6% of a home’s energy use. Large screen televisions, including flat screen, plasma, and high definition use even more electricity. For more specific information, see our spring Panorama article on energy and computers or the Christian Science Monitor article about large television energy consumption.
   
2. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). A 15-watt CFL provides the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent light bulb and uses ¼ the electricity. CFLs are initially more expensive to purchase, but they last 6-10 times longer and can save at least $30 in electric bills over the lifespan of a bulb. You can reduce lighting energy bills by 50% by replacing only 25% of your light bulbs with CFLs. If every household did this, it would prevent the release of greenhouse gases to the same extent as removing 8 million cars from the road for a year.
   
3. Conduct a home energy audit. Examine your home for air leaks and poor insulation. By fixing leaks, called weatherization, and improving insulation, you could reduce your energy usage by 30% and save up to $180. Southface and Georgia Power offer home energy audits. Georgia Power has a survey on line to help determine where energy leaks might be in your home, and they will conduct a free energy audit for Georgia Power customers.
   
4. Heating water accounts for approximately 1/7 of your utility bill. There are several steps you can take to reduce this energy use and cost. First, insulate your water heater so that it does not have to work as hard to keep the water warm. Insulation kits can be found at most hardware stores for about $20, and it will pay for itself in a year. Next, lower the water heater thermostat to 120? F, which is sufficient for most households. Third, install low-flow aerators on faucets, sinks, and showers to reduce the amount of water used, and thus the amount of hot water needed.