Electronics such as entertainment equipment, TV and DVD players, printers, computers, satellite systems, cable boxes, an electric toothbrush, razor and cell phone chargers all require small amounts of energy, even when not in use--so unplug them. Invest in an advanced power strip that will turn off all the peripherals, such as the printer and fax machine, when you power off your computer. Choose a laptop over a desktop computer--the laptop uses less energy.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones--they produce the same amount of light while using only one-fourth the electricity and they last much longer. Use task lighting, motion sensors and dimmers to reduce energy usage in unoccupied spaces.
Defrost old freezers before the ice buildup reaches one-quarter of an inch. Pack foods tightly in the freezer to keep them cool, but loosely in the refrigerator to allow air to flow around them and cover all liquids. When cooking, choose the microwave instead of the oven whenever possible--it uses less than half the energy. For stovetop cooking, the size of the pan should match the size of the burner for maximum efficiency. When baking, avoid unnecessary peeking. Glass and ceramic pans allow you to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees without changing the cooking time. Prop the dishwasher door open after the final rinse to allow dishes to air dry.
Use large appliances, such as the washer, dryer and dishwasher, during off-peak hours--after 6:30 p.m. and before 9:30 a.m. Use cold water in the washing machine--you'll save energy and your clothes will last longer. Clean the dryer lint filter after each load. Wash and dry only full loads, dry only like-weight materials together and don't add wet clothing to partially dry clothing.
Close doors to the outside at school instead of propping them open. Dress appropriately for the season and layer your clothing to accommodate cool mornings and warm afternoons. Place weather stripping around doors and windows. In the winter, cover windows with insulated curtains or shades, but open southern-facing window coverings during the day to utilize the passive solar effect.