|
Can you Save $1 per day?
If every resident committed to saving $1 per day in energy costs, we could save over $120,000. This is almost the entire condo fee increase for last year. Our energy costs alone represent 29% of the budget, and they continue to increase each year. Besides saving you money, we would be helping to save the planet by conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and reducing dependence on foreign fuels. Set a goal to save $1 a day. Together we can accomplish great things.
Here are some ways you can save.
Water Conservation Savings per Day
- Replace a low-efficiency toilet with a low-flow toilet $ .18
- Fix a running toilet $3.79
- Install a low-flow shower head $ .16
- Install a low-flow showerhead with a pause button, so you don’t
use water while shampooing or soaping up, an additional savings of… $ .05
- Reduce your shower by 2 minutes $ .11
- Take a shower rather than a bath $ .15
- Fix a dripping faucet $ .53
- Use an aerator on the faucet $ .13
- Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket, and avoid unnecessary flushes $ .07
- Turn off water when brushing teeth or shaving $ .05
- Clean vegetables in a bowl partially filled with water rather than
running the water $ .07
- Run a full dishwasher rather than hand washing $ .14
- Don’t pre-rinse the dishes, just scrape
(most dishwashers no longer require rinsing first) $ .21
Electric and Gas Conservation Savings per Day
- Wash clothes in cold water rather than hot or warm water $ .34
- Change five 100-watt incandescent bulbs to CFL bulbs
(assumes usage of 5 hours per day) $ .12
- Replace a refrigerator purchased before 1990 $ .41
- Replace a refrigerator purchased between 1990 and 1992 $ .24
- Replace a refrigerator purchased between 1993 and 2000 $ .13
- Replace a refrigerator purchased between 2001 and 2006 $ .05
- Replace a dishwasher purchased before 1990 $ .07
- Replace a dishwasher purchased between 1990 and 1995 $ .05
- Run dishwasher off-peak hours
(Hyde Park’s off-peak hours are 10:01 pm–9:59 am) $ .03
- Use the air dry cycle, not the heat dry cycle, on the dishwasher $ .02
- Turning the thermostat down or up so that the convector does not run
while you are not at home (3 convectors not running for 4 hours each per day) $ .19
- Eliminate the “phantom” electric usage. Many appliances use electricity when not in use to power the clock, screen saver, etc. Unplug the appliances or install a power strip, and turn the power strip off. Phantom usage daily savings:
- Plasma TV $ .32
- VCR or DVD $ .02
- Game console $ .05
- Laptop $ .03
- Phone $ .06
- Computer left in screen saver mode 8 hrs per day $ .12
Note: when replacing appliances be sure to look for appliances with energy star ratings. See energystar.gov.
Sources: EnergyStar.gov, Arlington County, Department of Energy, and others. See Joella Hartzler, unit 216, for additional sources. | 
