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Introduction

Energy makes things happen in the universe.  It powers our vehicles, warms our homes, cooks our food, runs our factories and enables us to perform countless activities.  We all know the famous definition of energy, “energy is the ability to do work.”

Sources of Energy
There are several sources of energy which include:

• Electricity 
• Fossil fuels
• Solar energy
• Bio energy
• Hydro energy
• Wind energy
• Nuclear energy

Energy Conservation Facts

• About one-sixth of the energy in a typical house is used by refrigerators and freezers, which is more than other appliances
• About 50% of the energy used in homes is used for heating and cooling
• Laptop computers draw 15 to 25 Watts of electricity during regular use, compared to 150 Watts for a conventional desktop computer and monitor
• Coal is the major source of energy produced in the US, which heavily contributes to pollution
• About 25% of the electricity used in a home is used for lighting
• If warm water is used for washing clothes, it can save about 80 percent of the energy used in washing

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Energy Conservation

Energy conservation simply means reducing the wastage of energy as well as curbing its excess use.  It helps reduce the cost of doing work, which in turn leads to financial rewards.  When energy use is reduced, it translates into savings in terms of infrastructure and other costs of production.  Using renewable energy such as solar energy and wind energy is the best option for conservation. 
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These are some of the ways energy can be saved around our houses and places of work:

The Kitchen

• Always purchase energy efficient appliances for the house
• Don't open the refrigerator too often because it lets the cool air escape
• Limit the use of the electric oven and use the microwave instead
• When heating food in the oven, use the window to check on food instead of repeatedly opening the oven door
• Keep the fridge thermostat at 40 degrees and freezer at five degrees
• Don't use the dishwasher unless there is a full load
• Avoid using the dryer to dry dishes, air-dry them instead
• Cover your food before placing it in the refrigerator because uncovered food releases moisture, which puts stress on the compressor
• Try to use the same size pan as the burner
• Cover the kettle or pot while boiling water so that less energy is used for heating
• When heating smaller portions of food or cooking a small quantity, use smaller pans

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Cooling

• Make sure that insulation in the house is really good
• Try to avoid using a dryer.  Use a clothesline instead, if possible
• Keep the air-conditioner at 75 degrees or higher than that
• Sunlight is much warmer in the afternoon so keep the drapes closed later in the day
• Use lighter colors on the exterior, and especially on the curtains to reflect the light
• Periodically check the vents in the attic to make sure they are not blocked
• Change air-conditioner filters after every three months
• Allow the cool morning air in earlier in the day so that house remains cool and shut the windows later in the day when it starts to get warm
• Make sure that the cooling appliance size is right for the room
• Install ceiling fans because they will reduce the need for air conditioning

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Lighting

• Always make sure to turn off unnecessary lights
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs because these use 60% less power
• Install solar powered lights on the exterior of the house
• A good way to ensure that unnecessary lights are not used is to use motion sensors to turn on and off the lights in the house
• Design the house in a way that allows in plenty of natural light

Heating

• Make sure that insulation in the house is really good
• Open the windows to let plenty of sunlight in and keep the house warm, but close them later in the day to keep the heat inside
• One way to save on heating is to dress warm inside the house so that you don't need to turn up the heat
• Keep the exhaust fans off when not needed because they push out warm air from the house
• Keep the vents and doors unused rooms closed
• Check heater filters periodically and change as needed
• Keep the heat at 65 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night

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Electronics

• When purchasing office equipment, look for energy efficient equipment
• Screensavers are incorrectly believed to reduce the energy used by the monitor.  Always turn the monitor off when not using it
• Use a laptop because it uses considerably less power than a desktop computer
• Use "sleep mode" on the computer, because it uses less electricity during inactivity
• Beware of 'vampire' appliances that draw small amounts of electricity even when they are turned off.  These include computers, TV, stereo, some kitchen appliances, etc.  It is best to unplug these machines when not in use
• Don't leave battery chargers plugged after the battery is charged
• Enable energy saving features on the computers, monitors and printers

Top tips on saving energy - Making your home as energy efficient as possible will reduce carbon emissions and could also save you on average £250 a year on your fuel bills
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Water Heating

• Avoid taking baths and instead take showers later in the day when it is warmer outside so that you won't need as much hot water
• Keep the faucet closed when shaving or brushing so that hot water is not wasted
• Keep the water heater thermostat at 120 degrees
• It may be a good idea to put insulation around the water heater tank or use a tankless water heater instead
• Keep the washing machine setting at warm or cold water instead of hot
• Clean the lint filter frequently.  It improves the circulation of air and helps clothes dry quickly

Automobiles

• Try to walk to work or school or ride a bike if at all possible
• Get the routine maintenance done because it improves the gas mileage
• Keep the air in the tires at the recommended pressure
• It is a good idea to buy a hybrid car that uses an alternate energy source such as electricity, biodiesel, fuel cell, etc.