Celebrate Earth Day April 22

The first Earth Day event was celebrated in 1970 by 20 million people. Now it is celebrated each year across the country with thousands of events.

The TCEQ encourages all Texans to do their part this Earth Day and everyday!

Here are 10 tips to help you save water, energy, and money.

1. Set the thermostat at 78° or higher in the summer and at 68° or lower in the winter to reduce energy use. Using a programmable thermostat can lessen energy use by 10% and save up to $150 a year.
2. Use caulk and weather-stripping for seams, cracks, and openings on the outside of your home to save up to 10% on your energy bill.
3. Fix leaky faucets. A faucet leaking at a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water a year. Fixing hot-water leaks can save up to $35 a year.
4. Install more efficient appliances and plumbing fixtures. A water-efficient showerhead can reduce water use by 25 to 60%, saving up to $145 a year. An Energy Star refrigerator is about 20% more efficient and can save you $165.
5. Water infrequently, yet thoroughly, to conserve water and keep your lawn healthy. Watering your lawn in the morning will save water from being evaporated by the midday heat, and saves you money!
6. Collect rainwater for use on your lawn, plants, trees, and shrubs. By collecting rainwater from just 10% of the residential roof area in Texas, we could conserve 27 billion gallons of water annually.
7. Use electric lawn equipment to save 73% on energy costs. Use an electric lawn mower instead of a gas-powered mower—which emits 11 times more air pollution than a new car.
8. Change your oil, check your tire pressure, and replace filters to reduce your car’s emissions and improve gas mileage up to 5%, saving up to 24¢ a gallon of fuel used.
9. Drive less or share a ride. By ride-sharing every day, you can save up to $3,000 a year on gas, insurance, parking, and wear and tear on your car.
10. Slow down and avoid aggressive driving and you can improve your fuel economy by 5% if driving in town, or by up to 33% on the highway. Typically, for every 5 mph you drive over 60, it’s like paying an additional 20¢ a gallon for the gas you use.

For more ways to do your part, visit takecareoftexas.org.

• Use Take Care of Texas tips and publications at your Earth Day events.
• Follow Take Care of Texas on Facebook to receive a weekly tip to help you protect the environment and save money, too.