Reply #19: well I can try

[The Straight Story]

I don't conserve nearly as much as I would like, but I run two sun servers with 4 processors and 20 hard drives each and several other computers, so it makes it hard :)

Change your light bulbs as some here have suggested, same with turning down fridge. Energy star, also a good bet. The best thig to me is:

1. Take a walk around your place and see what all is electric and is it on, what does it do, and is there a better model which uses less electric?

2. Sit down, make a list of every electric thing in the house. From lights to alarm clocks, tv, radio, computer, microwave, cable box, etc.

3. See if you can find how much each item uses, knowledge is power. Put it all in a spreadsheet if you need to in order to better analyze.

4. Consider at times batteries or other things - let me explain this. I listen to the radio a lot. I use batteries and am investing in hand crank radios. My flashlights are mostly battery operated though I have one I can plug in. I charge my cell phone at work when I can too. The batteries in my radio last forever, and I can get em cheap at dollar store.

5. Add mirrors to help reflect light and brighten a room.

In general, take stock, analyze, and see what you can do.

Hope this helps a little bit.