GOT VAMPIRIC ENERGY?

  The Energysavers.gov website provides tips for saving energy and money at home, at work and on the road. This site provides the latest information on energy-saving and efficient technologies, as well as tips for using renewable energy to power your home. Some tips to reduce air pollution and energy costs include: reducing, reusing and recycling, using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), and looking for the Energy Star label on home appliances and products. Another tip to reduce energy costs is to cut down on the use of "vampire" energy, which refers to energy used by appliances that are plugged in, but not turned on or in use.

For more information on how to save energy at home, please view the following:

• The Home Energy Saver website 
• The "Stay Warm, Save Money" Campaign - provides tips for the cool fall and winter months.
• The Energy Star website - provides information on energy efficient electronics, lighting and cooling systems.
• Energy Star's Home Advisor Tool - recommends energy efficient home improvement projects.
• The Change the World, Start with Energy Star Campaign - provides steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) Information on Improving Heating and Cooling Systems
• Energy efficiency campaigns for kids:
  • The Department of Energy's (DOE) "What's your Excuse?" Campaign - focuses on the eight to 12 "tween" market.
  • The EERE's Tinker Bell Themed Campaign - focuses on eight to nine year-olds.
  • The Energy Star Kids web page

The Energy Star site also provides a web page that lists the steps employees, executives, building managers, and small businesses can take to improve energy efficiency. To view tips and information on how to save energy and protect the environment in the workplace, commercial buildings and manufacturing plants, please visit the Bring Your Green to Work web page.

For information on increasing the energy efficiency of schools, please view the DOE's EnergySmart Schools Program. This program offers tools and resources to assist school decision-makers in planning and financing energy-efficient high-performance schools. The program also offers education and training for building industry professionals.

You may also wish to view information on the environmental impact of your energy use.

Finally, Energy Awareness Month is held each October. Every year the Federal Emergency Management Program (FEMP) provides materials and ideas to help federal agencies promote energy-saving practices. The 2009 Energy Awareness Month theme is "A Sustainable Energy Future; Putting All the Pieces Together."