Turn down the heat.
You can reduce the energy needed to heat your home up to 20% simply by turning the thermostat down 10°F - 15° when you are asleep or out of the house. The most effective and convenient way to save energy this way is to install a programmable thermostat. When used properly, programmable thermostats can save you about $150 per year.
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 Driving Your Own Vehicle
In 2005, carbon dioxide emissions from transportation in Bellingham were over 400,000 tons, nearly double the emissions from heating and powering our homes. Cutting back on driving, especially when traveling by yourself, is generally the most effective action you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. Walking and biking are daily activities you can do that produce no carbon dioxide. If you can’t walk or bike, take advantage of the numerous alternatives to driving your own vehicle. If you walked, rode your bike or took public transportation at least one day a week, you would prevent up to 900 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the air every year.
Simply turning off your vehicle every time you’re stopped for more than 30 seconds can prevent 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution from entering the air each year.
How do I do this?
It’s as easy as turning a key! If you are sitting in the same spot for more than 30 seconds, turn your engine off. Some of the most common places people over-idle are in ferry lines, schools, drive-throughs (banks, fast food restaurants, pharmacies and coffee stands) construction backups, or while warming up the car in the morning. Need convincing? Check out the “Why should I do this” section for more information and some common myths associated with idling.
Why should I do this?
Just one hour of idling burns up to a gallon of fuel and produces approximately 20 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution. Vehicle exhaust contains a nasty mix of small particles and chemicals that are classified as “hazardous air pollutants” under the Clean Air Act. Breathing vehicle exhaust increases the risk of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies.
Somehow shutting off your engine rather than idling has gotten a bad rap. We’d like to dispel some myths associated with idling:
- Myth #1: The engine should be warmed up before driving. Fact: Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. With today's modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving away.
- Myth #2: Idling is good for your engine. Fact: Excessive idling can actually damage your engine components. Fuel doesn’t undergo complete combustion, leaving spark plugs dirty and contaminating engine oil.
- Myth #3: Shutting off and restarting your vehicle is hard on the engine and uses more gas than if you leave it running. Fact: Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components like the battery and the starter motor. Component wear caused by restarting the engine is estimated to add $10 per year to the cost of driving, money that will likely be recovered several times over in fuel savings from reduced idling. The bottom line is that more than ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.(1)
If your vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon, you could prevent over 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year by reducing your idling.
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Try to be smooth and gradual in your accelerations and anticipate lights to maximize coasting and avoid rapid braking. You’ll notice a reduction in gas mileage and on your stress level.
How do I do this?
Your vehicle runs most efficiently while maintaining its speed or coasting. You use the most fuel during acceleration and the faster you accelerate, the more fuel you use. If you have a tachometer try to keep your RPMs low as you accelerate by being light on the gas pedal and shifting gears often. Anticipate lights so you can gradually slow down or coast up to them rather than accelerating until the last moment. Also, keep track of your gas mileage so you know what driving conditions to avoid.
Why should I do this?
Driving aggressively can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 33%. Your vehicle uses significantly more gas during acceleration and when your engine is running at high RPMs. Aggressive driving also leads to more accidents and stress. Driving friendly is better for the environment, your wallet and your overall mental health.
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Rather than “taking your five” and going 4-5 mph over the limit, drive at or below the speed limit and maintain a constant speed. Most cars operate most efficiently at 55-60 miles per hour. In fact, you can assume that each 5 miles per hour you drive over 60 is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
How do I do this?
We know it is not easy or always safe to drive slower, especially on the interstate. Instead of driving dangerously slow, try to use your cruise control or maintain a constant speed and make sure you aren’t always speeding.
You could also take the scenic route. Most state highways have 50 to 60 miles per hour speed limits and are sometimes more direct. Take the slow road and you will actually be cutting down on your gas consumption as long as the actual miles traveled is the same or less.
Keep track of your gas mileage and try to compare your fuel economy at various speeds, the difference can be huge.
Why should I do this?
Nearly all vehicles get optimal gas mileage around 55 - 60 miles per hour. Fuel efficiency generally falls off sharply above 60 miles per hour (see graph) - that means that “highway” miles per gallon estimates are not accurate for driving 70-80 miles per hour down the freeway.
Simply reducing your cruising speed from 70 miles per hour to 60 could boost your gas mileage by 15 - 20% or around 5 miles per gallon. That could save you an entire tank of gas on a road trip! It also adds up to a reduction of over 630 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the course of a year. In fact, lowering the speed limit was even part of our national energy conservation policy during the energy crisis in the early 70s. Taking it down a notch on the freeway can limit wear and tear on your vehicle and is generally safer.
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Take your car in for regular check-ups, especially if you notice a decrease in gas mileage or performance. Fixing a simple, yet serious, problem such as a faulty sensor could save thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted.
How do I do this?
Properly maintain your car by getting regular oil changes and tune-ups. Pay close attention to your car and take get it checked if it starts running poorly. Keep track of your gas mileage. If you notice a drop in gas efficiency, a quick tune-up might make a big difference.
Why should I do this?
Modern vehicles have numerous sensors, vacuums and computer chips that help them to operate efficiently. Among other things they control fuel and air mixtures in your engine. When they fail or wear out your gas mileage is often significantly reduced. Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve your gas mileage by 4 percent. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent - that would prevent an average of 5,540 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually!
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Keeping your vehicles tires pumped-up at the proper PSI saves gas and carbon dioxide pollution - about 415 pounds of it every year!
How do I do this?
Check the pressure in your tires every time you stop for gas (you can pick up a tire pressure gauge for about a buck). Make sure that the pressure in your tires is at the recommended PSI (check your vehicles operating manual or the rim of the tire for the proper PSI). If a tire is consistently low, have it checked out at your local tire shop. Many places (Les Schwab for sure) will fix a slow leak for free.
Why should I do this?
Low tire pressure increases the friction between your tire and the road and lowers your gas mileage. Maintaining proper tire pressure is a quick, easy and free way to maximize your miles per gallon. Small actions like this can really add up with the millions of cars on the road today. Driving with under- or over-inflated tires can also be dangerous and increases wear and tear on your tires and your vehicle.
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Check your vehicle’s air filter every three months and clean or replace it when necessary. A clogged air filter reduces your fuel economy as much as 10%.
How do I do this?
Refer to your vehicles operating manual to locate your air filter. Inspect it regularly or make sure that it gets checked when you have your oil changed. Replace it if it appears dirty or clogged; this usually doesn’t require any tools and replacements range from $10-$50. You can usually get high quality reusable filters for around $50 that can be cleaned rather than replaced and sometimes improve fuel economy.
Why should I do this?
If your car’s air filter is not clean it can alter the air/fuel mixture in your engine causing it to operate inefficiently. A clogged air filter can cost you an extra $0.31 per gallon and make your car feel sluggish, not to mention spew an extra 1,385 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air every year. Your air filter also keeps impurities and particles from entering your engine. A clean filter protects your engine and can extend the life of your vehicle.
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Walk, ride your bike or take public transportation at least one day a week. You’ll prevent 900 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and arrive at your destination energized and with a smile on your face!
How do I do this?
Commit to using alternative transportation at least one day every week. Try walking or biking if you live in town. Check out the City of Bellingham’s bike and pedestrian maps for route information including trails. Learn how to tune up your bike at the Hub Community Bike Shop. Or ride the bus - expanded routes and friendly drivers make the bus a great choice. Click here for routes and fare information.
Why should I do this?
Transportation accounts for 42% of all community greenhouse gas emissions in Bellingham. That’s more than any other sector. In our community, the single action that will have the biggest impact to reduce climate change is to drive less.
If you have a 10 mile commute (one way) and cut one day of driving a week, you could save over 900 pounds of carbon dioxide form being emitted every year. If everyone in Bellingham drove one less day a week, that number would amount to approximately 13,204 tons (29,047,721 lbs)!
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Get the most fuel efficient model available if you are thinking of buying a new car.
Purchasing a hybrid saves an average of 7,800 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution and $1,180 in gas every
year - it also sends a message to the auto industry(1).
How do I do this?
Compare hybrid cars and check out tax rebates at www.fueleconomy.gov. Or consider a new bike instead!
Why should I do this?
Transportation accounts for 42% of all community greenhouse gas emissions in Bellingham. That’s more than any other sector. In our community, the single action that will have the biggest impact reducing climate change is to drive less. Compared to the average car, hybrids prevent almost 4 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year and save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on gas. Plus you may be eligible for tax rebates.
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