Hot, Hot, Hot

Some of the hottest things in your home are also the biggest energy gobblers. Meaghan O’Neill, editor of Treehugger.com and Planetgreen.com, says the water heater accounts for about 13% of a home’s energy use. Your dryer also sucks up tons of energy, too. So, what can you do to lighten your load?

O’Neill suggests washing all your clothes—even your whites—in cold water. “Your clothes will get just as clean,” she says. “But you will reduce the amount of energy you’re using to heat up the water.” Air-drying some of your clothes is also a great way to reduce the amount of energy you’re using at home. “There are actually some really fancy drying racks out there. There’s everything from your standard $8 one that you can get at Target to $200 ones that fold out and have great arms…but they fold up super small so you can tuck them under your bed or in a closet,” O’Neill says. She also recommends using the dryer during non-peak hours—after 7 or 8 p.m.—which makes it easier on the power grid. Just reducing your dependence on your dryer will help you cut back on your carbon emissions.