Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day with Money-Saving Energy Efficiency Tips

April 2010 – The 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 is fast approaching, right on the cusp of the summer driving season, which begins on Memorial Day. Already, gasoline prices have jumped (up 10 cents per gallon since March), and the trend is expected to continue throughout the year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

In fact, energy costs both on the road and at home are on the rise in 2010. The Alliance estimates that home and vehicle energy expenditures will near $5,000 for the average U.S. household this year.

So how can consumers still enjoy their upcoming vacations and celebrate Earth Day without breaking the bank?

In the spirit of Earth Day, which 40 years ago launched the modern environmental movement and created a global commitment to environmental sustainability, the Alliance provides the following energy efficiency tips for homes and vehicles:

On the Road

• Drive Smarter. Speeding, rapid acceleration and rapid braking can lower gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds. Drivers can save up to 91 cents per gallon of gasoline by driving sensibly on the highway*.
• Hybrid and Diesel Tax Credits. Missed Cash for Clunkers? That doesn't mean you have to miss out on savings. Federal energy efficiency tax credits still apply to many low-emissions vehicles.
• Pack Light. If you're taking a road trip, even an extra 100 pounds in the trunk will cut a typical vehicle's fuel economy by up to 2 percent. You can save up to 12 gallons of gasoline per year – over $30 – by removing that extra 100 pounds of unneeded items from the trunk.
• Use Cruise Control. This not only gives the environment a break by cutting fuel consumption, but maintaining a constant speed during highway driving also gives your foot a break.
• Slow and Steady. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly above 60 miles per hour. Each five mph over 60 is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas. So keep a modest and steady pace on the highway.
• Beat the Traffic. When possible, drive during off-peak hours to reduce gas costs and stress by avoiding stop and go or bumper-to-bumper traffic conditions. For more energy efficient driving tips, visit the Drive $marter Challenge (www.drivesmarterchallenge.org).

At Home

• Pack Heavy. Washers, dryers and dishwashers are energy-guzzling appliances – washing one load of clothing uses 32 gallons of water! To reduce environmental impact, conserve your laundry and dirty dishes until you can pack a full load. And when possible, air dry clothes and dishes and wash clothes in cold water.
• Natural Cooling. Warm weather usually means high utility bills to cool your house. When you're not at home, turn up the thermostat a few degrees and close your blinds to keep it cool. You can save as much as 10 percent a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 percent for eight hours a day. Use an ENERGY STAR-qualified programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature when the house is empty, so you return to a comfortable home.
• Upgrade and Save. Give your home (and Uncle Sam!) credit for giving you tax credits. Many home improvements, such as updating your windows or heat pumps to more energy efficient models, will result in tax credits that save money and reduce energy consumption.
• Plant a Tree. Carefully-positioned trees can reduce a home's energy use by up to 25 percent. And tree-planting is a terrific way to mark Earth Day!
• A Bright Idea. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which will save you up to $50 in electricity costs over the lifetime of each bulb – even taking into account the higher purchase price of each bulb.

*Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $2.75/gallon.