Watt Watchers of Texas: Texas is Too Good To Waste™

Fight the Wasters Gang at Home!

Here are some of Lil’ Tex and Ann’s favorite tips on how to save energy at home!

Even when they’re not patrolling at school, the Watt Watchers are always on the lookout for the Wasters Gang.

Even when they’re not patrolling at school, the Watt Watchers are always on the lookout for the Wasters Gang.

Replace Your Light Bulbs

Fight off the Wasters Gang by replacing old light bulbs or energy-sucking incandescent light bulbs with CFL (compact fluorescent lights) or LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs. These types of lightbulbs can save you 25-80% on energy AND they last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs.

Wash Only Full Loads of Dishes and Clothes

Stop the Wasters Gang in your home by making sure the washer and dishwasher are full before starting them! If there is no room left for the Wasters Gang to sneak in, they won’t be able to waste your energy! Washing machines and dishwashers run most efficiently when they are full, and not wasting energy and water on partial loads helps protect against the Wasters Gang long-term!

Keep The Oven Door Closed When You’re Cooking

If you don’t open the oven while food is cooking, the Wasters Gang can’t get in! Opening the oven before your food has finished cooking allows the Wasters to sneak in and steal heat from the oven that is cooking your food! This means you have to use more energy to re-heat the oven … and your dinner is late!

Is the Refrigerator Closed All the Way?

Just like the oven, the Wasters Gang sneaks in to steal energy through open refrigerators also! Make sure your fridge is closed tightly so the Wasters can’t get in, and your food stays cold and fresh!

Turn Off Your Electronics and Appliances When You’re Done

If you’re not using your laptop or tablet and it’s not powered off, the Wasters Gang is sucking energy from you! If the light is on, but you’re not using it, the Wasters Gang is winning and burning through power on your device! If you're getting a new television, ENERGY STAR certified televisions are, on average, 25% more energy efficient than conventional models. And if you play video games, check out these tips to use less energy!

Adjust the Thermostat

Save your family from the Wasters Gang by making sure your thermostat is set to the right temperature! Ask your parents about setting a schedule so the temperature inside your home adjusts with the temperature outside. This leaves no room for the Wasters Gang to steal your energy!

Use Power Strips

Connect several of your plugs into a power strip and, when you’re done, turn off the power strip! If you’re not using it, but it’s plugged in, The Wasters Gang can still be wasting energy in your home for no reason!

If It’s Hot & Sunny, Close Your Blinds!

Protect your family against the Wasters Gang by closing your drapes or blinds on hot days! This helps cool the house down naturally, and keeps the pesky Wasters Gang from stealing your energy and cool air!

Use Cold Water to Wash Your Clothes

The Wasters used to steal energy from clothes or other items being washed with hot water. Nowadays, laundry detergent has the same impact whether the clothes are being washed in hot or cold water. Using cold water instead of hot or warm fights off the Wasters Gang and saves you money on energy! It also cleans your clothes or other items just as well as hot or warm water.

Turn Off Faucets All The Way

One drop of water per second can use up to 165 gallons of hot water per month! If you see water dripping from a faucet, you know the Wasters Gang is there. Make sure the knobs are turned completely off to keep the Wasters Gang away!

For more great ways to save energy at home, check out these tips from ENERGY STAR and CPS Energy!
Remember, Texas is too good to waste!

Watt Watchers of Texas is a Partner Program of Smart Energy Education.
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