How can this be done without drastically reducing our comfort level and lifestyle?
Thank you everyone. I wish I could give credit for more than one best answer.
There are many things that you can do to reduce energy use without going without certain luxuries! Here are some idea’s I had:
~Buy energy saving light bulbs
~Use reusable batteries or recycle dead batteries properly
~Take shorter showers
~Turn off lights whenever possible
~Use cold water to wash clothes (Tide Cold water works great)
~On a nice day, turn off the air/heat and open some windows. You save of the cost, get a nice fresh breeze, and help the environment.
~Plant trees around your house to shade and save on using more air conditioning
~Change the setting on your sprinklers to use less water
~Maybe one night a week or so you could try not to use lights and just use candles, it makes the rooms in the house smell great!
~Walk or ride a bike wherever possible
~Carpool if possible
That is all I can think of, but you can also get some tips at www.gogreen.com Good luck 
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#1 by Cassady M at July 17th, 2010
i think its great people like you are putting change into your life to save earth.
just try to keep all lights off during the day since its already light out.
get outside more so you dont use your computer and tv as often
and eat uncooked meals more of ofton like sandwiches
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#2 by Nah at July 17th, 2010
There are many things that you can do to reduce energy use without going without certain luxuries! Here are some idea’s I had:
~Buy energy saving light bulbs
~Use reusable batteries or recycle dead batteries properly
~Take shorter showers
~Turn off lights whenever possible
~Use cold water to wash clothes (Tide Cold water works great)
~On a nice day, turn off the air/heat and open some windows. You save of the cost, get a nice fresh breeze, and help the environment.
~Plant trees around your house to shade and save on using more air conditioning
~Change the setting on your sprinklers to use less water
~Maybe one night a week or so you could try not to use lights and just use candles, it makes the rooms in the house smell great!
~Walk or ride a bike wherever possible
~Carpool if possible
That is all I can think of, but you can also get some tips at http://www.gogreen.com Good luck
References :
#3 by Mookman at July 17th, 2010
There are many things one can do to reduce ones "carbon footprint" on this earth, all without leading an ascetic lifestyle. First, keep your tires inflated to recommended psi, reduce driving speed. In the home, switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, use a fan instead of an air conditioner, wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat, take shorter showers, use manual kitchen tools instead of all those electric gadgets, use a ceiling fan to better distribute hot/cold air, buy energy efficient appliances (look for their EnerStar rating), make sure your home is well insulated. The list goes on, but it’s a start.
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#4 by brettbear at July 17th, 2010
when you leave a room turn off the tv. or when there a nice breeze coming in turn off your a/c and open up the windows. unplug certain things when not in use. like coffee pot and microwave and toaster and when the computer isnt in use then you can turn it off or just put it to sleep. and like phone chargers when your done charging your phone unplug them because there pluged in so there still using electricity. i do this and it took a little getting use to but now its part of my routine. o and if you want to save water when your brushing your teeth leave the water off. and those energy saving lightbulbs work really good. there is a small delay when you turn them on. only like 3 seconds and then they turn on.
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#5 by whsgreenmom at July 17th, 2010
Without spending a lot of money the easiest thing to do is get rid of standby energy. I’ve saved about $50 per month just by plugging my tv, vcr, stereo and game system into a power strip with a switch. When the Tv isn’t in use we flip the switch and stop the standby usage. We also unplug all chargers when not charging, that includes cel phone, battery chargers, toothbrushes and laptops. We also shut the desktop down all the way to the battery backup, mine has a switch which shuts everything, including stops charging the battery.
A few other things that take a small investment, get a programable thermostat and adjust it up a few degrees and use a fan. I also installed a gable fan that helps keep the attic cool and reduces my a/c usage. Make sure your a/c unit is clean, has lots of air space, shaded and the fins are not bent over.
Heavy drapes on sunny windows or sunscreens can also help keep the home cool.
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#6 by thor at July 17th, 2010
Use a clothesline to partially dry your clothes. After they are mostly dry throw them in the dryer to soften them up and get the wrinkles and lint out.
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