Kitchen Advice

Dishwashing - the no-heat drying option on some dishwashers can save energy. Always wash a full load and select the shortest cycle appropriate. Don’t pre-rinse by hand as it is a waste of time and water. Dishwashers these days are powerful enough to handle the grime.

Refrigeration - A refrigerator consumes more energy than any other appliance in your apartment. It is critical that you ensure that your refrigerator is energy-efficient. If your refrigerator is more than ten years old, buying a new energy-efficient model could save you over $100 in energy bills for the year. All major home appliances sold today must meet minimum energy conservation specifications set by the Department of Energy (DOE). Refrigerator doors should seal tightly, if they don't you are leaking carbon and money as well as cold air ... and need a new refrigerator. Consider new Energy Star-rated models which save considerably on carbon emissions. Bottom freezer models are the most energy-efficient. Consider setting the fridge thermostat to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. And, finally, dust off or vacuum your machine’s condenser coils twice a year for increased efficiency. Never overfill shelves - a refrigerator or freezer that is too full has trouble properly circulating cold air to all the food. Empty the entire freezer every few months and throw out anything that is out of date. If you can't figure out whether that package contains fish or fruit because it is so freezer burned, don't keep it.

Ovens - Gas stoves are generally more efficient than electric stoves. If you're using an electric range, cover your pots and pans to trap heat and reduce cooking time. Consider using pans that completely cover a burner to maximize your heat energy usage.

Cabinetry - Look for kitchen cabinets that do not use formaldehyde, which is a toxic bonding agent used in kitchen cabinetry. New soy-based adhesives are formulated to be just as good as toxic glues. Low-VOC solvents and lacquers should also be used for finishing.

Faucets - Fix dripping faucets as they can waste as much as 20 gallons of water per day. Consider replacing leaking faucets with washerless faucets.

Bathroom Advice

Conserve Water in the Bathroom - use efficient toilets with no more than 1.6 gallons per flush; use low flow showerheads that spray no more than 2.5 gallons per minute; and consider faucets that use 2.2 gallons per minute or less (an inexpensive aerator can help). Other unique water conservation solutions include under-counter water tanks that save water used from your bathroom sink and recycle it for use in your toilet - potentially cutting toilet water usage by 40%; and foot valves, which help keep you mind focused on turning off the water in the sink while brushing your teeth and doing other things with your hands.

Use PVC-free Bathroom Shower Curtains - PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) liners are as durable as PVC without the hormone-disrupting, asthma-inducing phthalates. Hemp, the "eco gold standard", is another alternative and also resists mildew.

Use CFL Bulbs - switching to compact fluorescent bulbs can cut energy use considerably.

Air Conditioning Advice

Air Conditioners - Energy-efficient Energy Star-rated models, with an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) above 10 should be used when possible. The EER is the ratio of the cooling output divided by the unit's power consumption and is common on window units. Consider the following:

• To improve indoor air quality, add a reusable electrostatic filter and wash it monthly to optimize your system's efficiency.
• Another environmental consideration with air conditioners is depletion of the ozone layer, caused by conventional refrigerants such as carbofluorocarbons (CFCs). Today there are a number of less-harmful-CFC and non-carbofluorocarbon refrigerants available on the market.
• Keeping filters clean and turning off ACs when you’re out cuts costs and saves energy.
• Consider air conditioners with timers which allows for automatic shut-off when you plan to be away.
• Ceiling fans can be paired with air conditioners to help a room feel colder, which is a great summer tactic.
• Cooling units are more efficient when located in a shady area of the apartment.
• When using the air conditioner: cool only the space that needs cooling; keep doors and windows closed; don't operate the dishwasher, clothes dryer or other heat-producing appliances while the AC is on; and close all duct vents.
• During the winter, make sure the fan operates in a counterclockwise direction—this pulls heat upwards and the fan’s rotation then distributes air down the walls.

Laundry Care Advice

Use Water-Conserving Washing Machines - Washing machines can use as much as 40 gallons of water per load, whereas Energy Star-rated machines use around half that. Also, use front-loading washers if possible as they allow you to set your washer on the fastest spin cycle to help conserve water - as faster spin times reduce the water in your clothes beforehand. Front-loaders conserve water and energy by 40-50%! It's also a good idea to wash half of your laundy in cold water to reduce carbon emissions.

Use Energy-saving Dryers - Gas dryers are cheaper to run and have a lighter eco impact, but must be vented outside. Also, look for dryers with energy-saving features like moisture sensors and an air-dry option; and also look for automatic shut-off or one that alerts you when loads are done. Dryers that have fast spinning cycles conserve energy as they don't need to run as long to dry clothes. Finally, be sure to place dryers in a warm part of the house so that less energy is required to generate heat.

Other Advice

LED Lighting - More durable, damage-resistant, and long-lasting than compact fluorescents and incandescent bulbs, LED lights neither flicker nor fail to save you tons on electricity costs. Close to a half a century of light technology has come to fruition, resulting in this lovely little marvel of luminosity, and people all over the world are lining up and lighting up for its fairly recent release on the residential market. While they perform very well in dimmable fixtures, and gently brighten heat-sensitive areas, the true beauty of LED's lies in their longevity, an asset made obvious by every struggle to replace those hard-to-reach bulbs.

Consider Bamboo versus Wood Products - Bamboo is a fast-growing grass, not a tree, so it is sustainable and a great alternative to hardwoods, which take decades to mature. Currently, the Forest Stewardship Council is considering certifying it as a non-forest product. You can find a wide variety of bamboo products these days, from furniture to kitchen products and even knitting needles. It's also being used for flooring, countertops and cabinets. For bamboo cutting surfaces, such as cutting boards, be sure to stay away from cheap cutting boards that use formaldehyde-based glues (or toxic glues altogether for that matter).

No-VOC Paints and Finishes - Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered to be one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes. Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins is a variey of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) which, until recently, were essential to the performance of the paint. New environmental regulations, and consumer demand, have led to the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes. Most paint manufacturers now produce one or more non-VOC variety of paint. These new paints are durable, cost-effective and less harmful to human and environmental health.

Unplug Chargers and Appliances When Not in Use - In the average home, up to 40% of electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off but still plugged in. Make sure to unplug chargers and appliances when you are not using them.