Pledge To Celebrate Earth Day’s 25th Anniversary

Energy costs Washington state residents and businesses $10 billion a year. We use energy to light and heat our homes, schools and businesses; run our transportation systems and power our farms and industries.

Much of the quality of life in Washington and the state’s economic health depend on how efficiently we use energy and whether we develop clean renewable resources to meet future needs.

Individual actions do make a difference. Installing low-flow showerheads and compact fluorescent lights, buying energyefficient appliances, weatherizing homes and sharing the ride to work contribute to a more secure energy future. You see the direct benefits - lower utility bills, greater comfort and increased property value - from the investments you make in home energy efficiency.

All of us can be a part of the solution by being energy aware every month of the year. In honor of Earth Day’s 25th anniversary, we encourage you to pledge to take energy conservation actions in your home. Read the energy pledge below and pick three actions you will take. Return the clip-out part to the energy office by May 19 to get your name placed in a drawing for a free compact fluorescent lightbulb. For the same amount of light, compact fluorescent lights use one-quarter to one-third the electricity and last 10 times longer than ordinary incandescent lights. The winner’s initials and city, along with data collected from others who took the pledge, will be announced in a future Homewise column.

If you’re a parent or teacher and would like your children or students to participate, call the State Energy Office’s Energy Hotline at (800) 962-9731 or 324-7980 (in Spokane) for a free Kid’s Energy Pledge and our publications directory. Kids can help shape our energy future and participate in the drawing, as well.

Energy Pledge

Energy efficiency saves resources, lowers costs and helps the environment. I understand small actions can make a big difference when a large number of people take them. To help make my community a leader in energy efficiency now and for future generations, I pledge to take the following actions. (Circle three or more actions listed below to take over the next couple of months.)

I pledge to:

1. Set back the thermostat by at least 10 degrees every night. For every degree I set back my thermostat for an eight-hour period, I can save 1 percent on my heating bill. This action alone can save at least 10 percent of the energy I use for heating.

2. Save hot water costs by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Heating water for the kitchen and bath is the second largest energy use in my home. Reducing the amount of hot water I use will not only save energy but save water resources, too.

3. Replace worn weather-stripping on outside doors. A small gap under the door is equal to a hole the size of a softball. This allows heat to escape and creates cold drafts. I can also seal air leaks around doors and windows and openings in the ceiling and floor. This saves money and improves comfort in my home.

4. Install two compact fluorescent lightbulbs in my home. Energy savings will be greatest where lights are on the longest. As with incandescents, I’ll turn them off when leaving the room.

5. Fix leaky faucets without delay. A drip from a faucet at the rate of one cup every 10 minutes will waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.

6. Operate the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Running these appliances when fully loaded saves hot water and the energy it takes to heat that water. It also reduces the number of times the appliance is run every week.

7. Walk, bike, carpool, or take the bus at least once per week. Driving alone uses more gasoline and creates more air pollution than any other form of travel. If I must drive, I’ll plan travel needs ahead of time to combine errands, avoid congestion, and reduce last-minute trips in the car.

8. Compare energy guide labels on my next appliance purchase. Many major appliances. such as water heaters and refrigerators, cost more to operate over their lifetime than they cost to buy. I’ll consider paying a little more for an appliance that saves on energy costs in the long run.

9. Tell at least one friend about taking this pledge. Small things really can make a big difference when lots of people do them. If everyone in Washington had an energy-efficient refrigerator, more than $40 million in electricity costs would be saved each year. Conserving energy frees more dollars to be spent locally and helps preserve the environment.

10. Take an energy-saving action that’s not already listed above.