Simple Tips

- Don't forget the 3 R’s – RE-USE, REDUCE, and RECYCLE. Next time you go grocery shopping take along a cloth bag that you can reuse. This helps keep paper and plastic bags from becoming litter.

- How many Rhode Islanders does it take to change a light bulb? Hopefully all of us! If every home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we’d save enough energy to light nearly 4,000 homes a year in RI...and we’d prevent greenhouse gas emissions from more than 32,000 cars.

- Carbon dioxide is the prime contributor to global warming. Whenever possible wash clothes in warm or cold water and not hot water. Instead of throwing them into the dryer, air dry them whenever possible. You’ll save 350 pounds of CO2 each year.

- If you’re in the market for new appliances or electronics, consider investing in the highly efficient ENERGY STAR products. Better yet, if you’re on a tight budget, you can also find used ENERGY STAR products in very good shape. Now you’re reducing energy and reusing consumer appliances.

- Do you want save energy and reduce your home heating costs? It’s easy .. just set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. For each ten degree reduction in water temperature, you’ll save 5% in energy costs.

- We’re back to the 3 R’s – reduce your carbon footprint, recycle and re-use. To reduce the carbon dioxide that is the prime contributor to global warming try these few steps in your home—don’t over heat your rooms; adjust the thermostat a mere 2 degrees and run your dishwasher only with a full load.

- Did you know Rhode Islanders use over 190 million plastic bags each year? Plastic bags are a major source of airborne litter, ending up in our trees and the bay. Just brings your backs back to your local supermarket for recycling. Doesn’t matter where the bags come from. Just drop them into any RE STORE barrel.

- Want to save money on your home heating bill this winter? Get free professional advice about reducing energy use in your home with a free Energy Wise home audit. In addition to good advice, there are low interest loan and incentives like rebates just for making improvements in your home and you save on your bills.

- Do you have bottled water in your car or at your desk? We use a lot of energy and oil to make the bottles, ship them across the world, refrigerate, and finally recycle the bottles. Instead drink tap water, and carry around a re-usable water bottle, you’ll save money and the environment!

- In the cooler weather months here are a few energy tips to save you money and save the planet. Insulate your walls and ceilings you’ll save 25% on your home heating bill! Not to mention the two thousand pounds of CO2 you won’t be putting into the air—it’s your part in reducing global warming.

- You can save water, money, and the environment –and enjoy a nice relaxing shower—by installing a water efficient shower head. They cost as little as $10 and you’ll save about 25 gallons of water for a ten minute shower.

- Our cars account for nearly half of Rhode Island’s smog pollution and as much global warming pollution as all the electrical plants. So whenever you can ride your bike, walk or ride the bus -- it’s good for the environment and it’s good for your health too. And it’s much cheaper than paying $3 a gallon for gasoline!