My search for information on how much energy is used by elevators led to a lot of interesting facts, including that there is a wide range in energy use depending on the design of the elevator. In general, elevators in high-rise buildings are a more efficient design than the type frequently used in two- or three-story buildings.  As you might expect, older elevators are less energy-efficient and manufacturers are developing more energy-efficient elevators. The type of lighting and air conditioning in the elevator also has a large effect on energy use. However, the visitors and occupants of a building can do one thing to reduce the energy used by an elevator. We can use the stairs. It is not always safe to use the stairs, or the stairwell may have doors that prohibit entry into occupied areas, but in many buildings, stairs are a good option. 

Many people leave the TV turned on for several hours a day even when they are not watching it or are in another room.  One simple way to save energy is to turn off the TV when you’re not watching it.  

Dead leaves can be used for many beneficial things in your yard instead of putting them in plastic trash bags to send to the landfill. The climate of the area you live in and the type of trees may affect which alternatives are useful, but here are some ideas to consider. A thin layer (one to two inches) of leaves can be mowed to break them into smaller pieces that are left to break down and fertilize the yard. Some lawn mowers have a mulching function that makes this even easier. Leaves can also be used as winter mulch to protect plants, but you will want to learn what’s best for your plants because a thick layer of large leaves can sometimes suffocate the plants underneath. Of course, if you have a weedy area, this could be a good way to kill the weeds and enrich the soil at the same time. One gardening website said that composted leaves make wonderful fertilizer for gardens. Another website pointed out that the leaf litter provides winter shelter for beneficial insects and other creatures.

A programmable thermostat is a very effective way to save energy without daily effort. The programmable thermostat allows you to use a pre-set schedule for heating and cooling based on your personal habits and needs. You can change temperatures to a more energy-efficient level while you are asleep or away from home and then return temperatures to normal before you wake or return home. Programmable thermostats can store and repeat six or more temperature settings a day and you can manually override them without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program. Most have a “vacation” or “hold” button that can be set to hold a constant, more efficient temperature while you are away from home. Simple, inexpensive models can be very useful in managing your energy use with a few simple settings, while the more complex systems can learn your habits and fine-tune your energy savings. 

You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. In winter, when the temperature inside your house drops below its normal temperature, it will lose energy to the surrounding environment more slowly.  A lower temperature inside your house means slower heat loss to the outside. The longer your house remains at a lower temperature, the more energy you save. In summer, a higher interior temperature will slow the flow of heat into your house, saving energy on air conditioning.  

A thermostat must be located on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows. Do not put furniture in front of a thermostat because it will prevent the thermostat from correctly reacting to the temperature of the house. The manual for your thermostat will provide information on optimizing the location and settings. 

Homes or buildings with heat pumps, electric resistance heat, steam heat, and radiant floor heating may require special thermostats or programming, so you will need to do additional research before buying a new thermostat for these types of systems.

Every day, your elected officials make decisions that affect your quality of life and your future.  While decisions made at the national level affect larger numbers of people, decisions at the city, county, and state level are also very important.  You can affect these decisions at all levels by researching the issues and the candidates and selecting the candidates whose values and goals most closely match yours.  Don’t rely on the TV ads for information.  Most candidates have a website or media interview where they describe their goals, at least superficially.  Then VOTE.  Many elections are decided by a small margin, so your vote does count.