The Green Room

This October, start your energy new year

By Walmart Green Room on October 2, 2012 Leave a comment

October is National Energy Awareness Month, first established by a presidential proclamation in 1991. Each year, the government promotes a month-long series of clean energy events and activities.

Over the last few months, we’ve shared several ways Walmart is working toward our big goal of being powered by 100 percent renewable energy. But there are also many ways you can save energy at home. Check out these tips from the National Resources Defense Council:

• Unplug. You can save $10 a month just by unplugging seldom-used appliances, such as a toaster oven. Unplug chargers from the outlet when they’re not charging cell phones, PDAs, and other electronic gadgets because those without power switches will still draw energy from the grid.
• Keep it just cold enough. Set your refrigerator temperature at 38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider keeping a thermometer in the fridge so you can make sure you get it exact.
• Make it a clean wash. To be most energy efficient, wash only full loads in your dishwasher, and use short cycles for everything but really dirty dishes. This saves water, as well as the energy used to pump and heat it. And of course air-drying, if you have the time, can also reduce energy use. The same goes for your washing machine. Set the appropriate water level for the size of the load, wash in cold when it’s feasible, and always rinse in cold water.

Now that you’ve considered your home, have you thought about how energy efficient you are at work? Take this quiz from the Environmental Protection Agency to find out.