While this website focuses mostly on commercial buildings, I want to take a moment looking at the bigger theme and discuss my top 5 ways you can easily make an immediate impact on world energy savings. This article has to do with simply changing your behavior, and no worries - there will be no lecture on recycling (I assume you are doing this already, if not for the environment, for the local economy)
Drive properly. Don’t drive like an idiot.
Over-aggressive or Over-passive driving wastes gas in both your car and other drivers. When you make people hit the brakes, they consume additional gas. If you cause a traffic jam, even more. Remember to use your turn signals! That way, other people can make appropriate decisions. Also, if you get pulled over, try to find a decent spot to stop. The cop will likely see your point, as he doesn’t want to cause a traffic jam (and worry about getting hit by a car) either.
My mileage goes down 30% when I am in an area filled with jerk drivers (Dallas, Chicago, Detroit)
Work from home when you can
You don’t have to worry about driving if you work from home. You also save on commercial lighting, commercial ventilation, and potential infrastructure costs. Some jobs can’t allow this, but in today’s day and age, most jobs only require a computer, and standard printers are very inexpensive.
Eat Right
Sounds stupid to get a lecture on eating right here doesn’t it? Well, eating right makes it likely that more of your food will be grown locally, thus saving on transportation and boost the local economy. Restaurants are energy hogs, especially if they serve fast food
Make Lists, and check them twice!
Everybody is busy these days. Errands, shopping, shipping, and more. However, if you stay organized, and plan ahead you can cut your mileage in half. You also get a lot more free time, so the list time pays for itself.
Spend Time OUTSIDE
Remember, when you are outside, you are not having as much of an impact on building energy. In daylight, there are no lights, no ventilation, no air conditioning, and it is good for you too! So much of our energy consumption comes from the fact that we are always indoors or in a car. Plus, the more you appreciate the outdoors, the more environmentally aware you become. It is good for vitamin D too.