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Do Your Part

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A few simple steps at home can save you hundreds of dollars and protect Indiana's air, land and water. Here are some simple but important actions that will have the biggest impact on the environment and your wallet:

Weatherize Your House

Annual Savings: $500

Using proper insulation in your home and sealing off air leaks will help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing energy consumption and saving money. Weatherizing can save you 10 percent on your energy bill, and properly insulating your home can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 30 percent.

Lower the Thermostat on Your Water Heater

Annual Savings: $475

Water heating is the third-largest energy expense in your home. For maximum efficiency, use an Energy Star water heater, set your water heater's thermostat to 120°F, and wrap your water heater with an insulating jacket to reduce heat loss.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Annual Savings: $237

With proper maintenance you can reduce your car's emissions and improve gas mileage by up to 5 percent (or up to 35¢ per gallon).

  • Check your tire pressure.
  • Replace air filters.
  • Avoid overfilling the gas tank.
  • Pay attention to the check engine light.
  • Avoid idling in drive-through or pick-up lines.

Replace Your Old Refrigerator

Annual Savings: $180

Choosing an Energy Star model can reduce energy bills by as much as $15 per month, or $180 per year.

Install Low-flow Showerheads and Faucet Aerators

Annual Savings: $180

By installing a low-flow you can reduce water consumption by 25-60 percent. Installing aerators on your water faucets will cut the amount of water used by each faucet in half.

Plant Shade Trees

Annual Savings: $175

Planting deciduous trees (not evergreens) on the south and west sides of your house and around your air conditioner will help to keep your house cooler in the summer, and (when the leaves fall) warmer in the winter.

Drive the Speed Limit

Annual Savings: $135

By slowing down and avoiding aggressive driving you can improve your fuel economy by 5 percent in town and up to 33 percent on the highway.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Annual Savings: $100

Using a programmable thermostat or setting your thermostat to 78°F or higher in the summer and 68°F in the winter can reduce your cooling and heating bills.

Invest in a Low-Flow Toilet

Annual Savings: $90

Toilets account for approximately 30 percent of residential, indoor water consumption. Replacing an older toilet with a low-flow toilet can save 9,000 gallons of water a year.

Adjust the Setting on Your Refrigerator

Annual Savings: $50

Refrigerators account for 9 percent of an average home's total energy consumption. To save money and energy, keep your refrigerator's thermostat set between 37 and 40°F.

Small Steps, Big Results: additional ideas on what you can do to help the environment.

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