Making it easier to remember

​We are all busy and have a large variety of responsibilities and concerns.  It’s hard to remember sustainability activities and tips when your focus is on those other concerns.  Think about ways you can make it easier to remember or automate the actions.  Here are a few ideas.  I’m sure you can think of more. 

• Can you use a timer?  Outdoor or holiday lights can be plugged into a timer.  Bathroom exhaust fans can use a timer (you’ll need an electrician for this) so you don’t have to remember to come back and turn them off.
• Programmable thermostats are a great energy-saving device that can change your home’s temperature to match your schedule. 
• Check into the new systems that not only control your heat and lights based on your schedule, but can learn your habits and adjust.  My electric utility company offered rebates on these last year.
• Light sensors or motion sensors can optimize use of lights, but you’ll need an electrician to hook most of them up. 
• Put a note on your calendar to remind you of activities such as checking air pressure in your car tires so that you optimize fuel use, cleaning or changing air filters in your home, or cleaning the dust and lint off the coils of your refrigerator or freezer so it will operate more efficiently.