skip to main content | skip to footer
North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Sustainability - Sustainability - Greener DENR

Sustainability
Web Content Display Web Content Display

DEQ a Greener You Logo

 

Save Energy and Lower Utility costs at home and in the Workplace

"Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land” -Aldo Leopold

Below is a chart showing the breakdown of residential electricity consumption from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.

This figure demonstrates that consumer electronics products collectively consume electricity in amounts comparable to other product areas for which efficiency programs are already conducting programs. Including electronics products in a program's portfolio may boost energy savings.* excluding Digital TVsTIAX LLC for the Consumer Electronics Association 2007

Lighting makes up a large percentage of energy consumption in the chart above. Reviewing lighting needs and making adjustments is a good place to start to reduce your personal impact on resources. The old standby of flipping the switch when you leave a room is still a quick and easy way to keep consumption and costs low.

Many outdoor lights are not designed efficiently and illuminate more area than necessary. This wastes energy and causes light pollution. To learn more about ways to mitigate this effect in your home, go to darksky.org.

Collectively, appliances also consume a large percentage of energy. Many Energy Star appliances are available when your current model is ready for replacement. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. For more information on the Energy Star Program, go to www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.ab_index. You may still be eligible to receive a rebate on your Energy Star purchases in 2012. For more information, go to ncappliancerebate.com.

Don’t forget about your electronic devices. Unplug chargers when you’re not using them. Use power strips to turn multiple devices off at once. Practice using the sleep mode or hibernate option for your computer when stepping away from your desk for a meeting.
Web Content Display Web Content Display

DEQ Sustainability Vision

DEQ is the primary environment agency and model for sustainable actions of all North Carolina government agencies.

DEQ Sustainability Mission

To inspire a culture of sustainability within DEQ by promoting environmentally responsible actions.

 
25608 FEEDBACK

Your input is valuable to us. Please send us your feedback.

What type of feedback would you like to send?*

Ask a Question Report a Problem Have a Concern Make a Comment

(If you would like us to respond please include your phone or e-mail.)

Your Question has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Problem has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Concern has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Comment has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

*If you are a DENR employee with an I.T. issue, please submit a DOTS ticket.