REDUCE AND UNPLUG

• The easy way to cut your energy use is to consider all the appliances currently turned on. Do they need to be? Bring people together to one space to keep the rest of the home switched off (it’ll save money, too). • When electronics are not in use, especially when you’re out for a longer holiday, unplug them! Plugged-in power cords and chargers draw out energy without being used – also known as vampire energy – which can add up to 10% to your energy bill. • Make the switch from a traditional incandescent bulb to a low-energy bulb. If people worldwide switched to energy-efficient bulbs, it would save $120 billion a year in energy costs. • Opt for energy-efficient products whenever you’re in the market for a new lamp, television or stereo. • Only buy new when your product is beyond repair, though, as manufacturing emissions can negate the reduced carbon impact of a new ‘efficient’ appliance.