The lists

Since I'm geek (anorak, nerd delete as appropriate), and geeks like sci-fi, here are my 10 favourite sci-fi films (in no particular order)

• 2001: A Space odyssey
• Rollerball (the original)
• Matrix
• Cube
• Dark City
• Ghost in the Shell
• The Empire Strikes Back
• eXistenZ
• Aliens
• Starship Troopers

I'm not only in to sci-fi, so in that sprit here are 10 of my favourite non sci-fi films

• The Untouchables
• Twister
• Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
• Dogma
• Saving Private Ryan
• Falling Down
• Jaws
• Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
• American Pie 2
• Ronin

I read as well, so here are my ten favourite books (of any kind)

• Eon, Gear Bear
• Escher: The complete graphic works
• The particle explosion, Frank Close, Micheal Marten & Christine Sutton
• Artificial Life, Steven Leavy
• The Eternal Golden Braid, Douglass R Hofstadter
• Star Trek: the next generation technical manual, Rick Sternach, Micheal Okuda
• Project Orion, George Dyson
• Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance, Robert M. Pirsig
• The code book, Simon Sing
• Guards, guards, Terry pratchet

While I'm working at my keyboard, music is pretty much essential, so here's some of my favourite albums

• Bat out of hell II, Meat loaf
• Bridge of spies, T'pau
• Life for rent, Dido
• Journeyman, Eric Clapton
• The Best of the Eagles
• Albedo 0.39, Vanglis
• Buffy the vampire slayer sound tack, vol 1
• Aliens soundtrack, James Horner
• Star Wars soundtrack, John Willams
• Fallen, Evancesance

I do watch a fair bit of of TV to, so hear are my ten all favourite programs

• Buffy the vampire slayer
• The Simpsons
• Doctor Who
• Blakes 7
• Star Gate SG-1
• Futurama
• Dead like me
• X files (up till season 5 anyway!)
• Babylon 5
• Fraser

Sayings that sum up what I feel about the world

• "I'm going to live forever or die trying", Vila
• "Fall down 7 times, stand up 8", Japanese proverb
• "There can be no thought of finishing 'aiming for the stars'. No matter how much progess you make, there is always the thrill of just beging", Robert Goddard
• "For we are luminous beings are we, not this crude matter", Yoda
• "Somewhere some thing incredible is waiting to be known", Carl Sagan
• "A straight line may the shortest route between two points but it's by no means the most interesting", The Doctor
• "Nobody said it had to be reel, but it's got to be something you can reach out and feel", Meat loaf
• "For every complex question, there is a simple answer-- and it's wrong", H.L. Mencken
• "The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine", J.B.S Haldane
• "Do'h", Homer J Simpson

Since I'm male, even though I'm a geek, doesn't mean that I don't notice the fairer sex, in that vane here are (in my opion) the 10 best looking ladies in the world

• Alyson Hannigan
• Melissa Theuriau
• Cali Lewis
• Charisma Carpenter
• Sandra Bullock
• Amanda Pays
• Rachael Tcotin
• Ginny Buckley
• Natalie Imbruglia
• Fiona Bruce

Mmmm...food...garr. Since I do all of this hard work siting down at my computer, I need a healthy(!?) supply of food to keep my energy up. So here are my 10 favourite meals/foods

• Chocolate cheesecake
• Tuna and Mayonnaise
• Stake and chips
• Pizza (meaty kinds mostly)
• Cheese and apple sandwich
• Pancakes with maple syrup
• Apple crumble and custard
• Chocolate brownies
• Pancakes and lemon juice
• Just plain Chocolate!

Man's 10 greatest achievements (to date)

• The wheel
• Written language
• Powered flight
• Getting to the moon
• The Internet
• The Pyramids
• Clocks
• The number 0
• The ability to imagine far beyond our tiny mind's and bodies
• Having not destroyed him self by now

Okay so I ran out of ideas, so here's 10, number 11 from the other lists

• 11th favourite sci-fi film: Galaxy Quest
• 11th favourite non sci-fi film: Pleasantville
• 11th favourite book: The Dilbert Future, Scot Adams
• 11th favourite Album: I Giorni, Ludovico Einaudi
• 11th favourite TV program: Angel
• 11th saying that sums up my feelings about the world: "Never Guess. Unless you have to. There's enough uncertainty in the universe as it is", The Doctor
• 11th best looking lady in the world: Alexandra Paul
• 11th favourite food stuff: Cold beef and mashed potatoes
• mans 11th greatest achievement: The world telephone network

Feel free to visit:
http://www.hyperlands.net/hyperlands/100things.html

Aestivate

Ailurophile

Assemblage

Becoming

Beleaguer

Billet-doux

Brood

Bucolic

Bungalow

Chatoyant

Comely

Conflate

Cynosure

Dalliance

Demesne

Demure

Denouement

Desuetude

Desultory

Diaphanous

Dissemble

Dulcet

Ebullient

Effervescent

Efflorescence

Elision

Elixir

Eloquence

Embrocation

Emollient

Ephemeral

Epiphany

Erstwhile

Esculent

Ethereal

Evanescent

Evocative

Fetching

Felicitous

Fluke

Forbearance

Fugacious

Furtive

Gambol

Glamour

Gossamer

Halcyon

Imbrication

Imbroglio

Imbue

Incipient

Ineffable

Ingenue

Inglenook

Insouciance

Inure

Lagniappe

Lagoon

Languor

Lassitude

Leisure

Lilt

Lissome

Lithe

Luxuriant

Mellifluous

Moiety

Mondegreen

Murmur

Nemesis

Niveous

Odalisque

Offing

Onomatopoeia

Opulent

Palimpsest

Panacea

Panoply

Pastiche

Peccadillo

Penumbra

Petrichor

Plethora

Propinquity

Pyrrhic

Quintessential

Ratatouille

Redolent

Riparian

Ripple

Scintilla

Sempiternal

Seraglio

Serendipity

Surreptitious

Sumptuous

Sussurous

Symbiosis

Talisman

Tintinnabulation

Umbrageous

Umbrella

Untoward

Vestige

Viridescent

Waft

Wherewithal

For a long time now, I’ve held one tenet to be true - do one thing a day you otherwise wouldn’t like to do and success will come of it. This doesn’t mean I do something that collides with my ethics or morals. It simply means I do some grunt work, push an idea through the grueling phases, like register for affiliate programs, and other things that take me one step closer to my goals. Why not, right?

We sometimes call upon spiritual guides to bring us nuggets of wisdom. Let the Boom tell you there’s no procrastination bomb shelter. We need to be on top of our game to succeed. We can look for inspiration outside ourselves, but motivation comes from within and explodes outward. A lot of times I motivate myself by asking ‘why not’ followed by some activity. So here are 100 different why not ideas to light your fuse today.

1. Why not write an extra blog post today?
2. Why not sign up for an affiliate program?
3. Why not comment on a blog in your niche today?
4. Why not read blogs outside your niche today?
5. Why not drop 300 Entrecards today?
6. Why not submit a guest post to a popular blog?
7. Why not enter a blog contest to up my exposure?
8. Why not create a blog posting schedule?
9. Why not read an ebook on Affiliate Marketing?
10. Why not take some time to brush up on SEO skills?
11. Why not learn how to Freelance like a Rockstar?
12. Why not digg an article?
13. Why not do something for someone else?
14. Why not thank your blog readers?
15. Why not cleanup your blog categories?
16. Why not backup your blog today?
17. Why not learn a little about writing headlines?
18. Why not experience a new blog submission network today?
19. Why not send a friendly email to a fellow blogger today?
20. Why not read through the backlog of feed subscriptions in your reader of choice?
21. Why not learn to make money online?
22. Why not drive traffic to your blog by writing a controversial post?
23. Why not write a recommendation for a blog you love?
24. Why not update your site’s stylesheet?
25. Why not consider your brand?
26. Why not check your site traffic?
27. Why not submit your RSS feed to a few directories?
28. Why not hold a contest on your blog?
29. Why not contract a new logo design?
30. Why not sign up for twitter?
31. Why not follow someone cool on twitter?
32. Why not setup a profile for yourself to network your blog on a social network?
33. Why not create an avatar that brands your site?
34. Why not write an ebook chapter on what you know?
35. Why not update your site’s keywords and title tags?
36. Why not install a helpful plugin to your WordPress blog?
37. Why not write a constructive About page?
38. Why not create custom business cards for offline marketing your site?
39. Why not write keyword rich content for your site?
40. Why not submit your blog to dmoz.org for consideration?
41. Why not backup your WordPress blog to your local hard drive?
42. Why not find a cheaper webhost?
43. Why not explore other money making endeavors online?
44. Why not search for your blog in Google?
45. Why not try out new blog networks to increase your readership?
46. Why not give a shout out to a blogger who has helped you recently?
47. Why not buy some exposure on the Project Wonderland ad network?
48. Why not buy some ads from recent blogs on Entrecard?
49. Why not increase your backlink numbers by visiting Aboutus.org?
50. Why not buy a keyword on OneBuckWiki.com?
51. Why not stretch our imaginations by creating an innovative marketing campaign?
52. Why not offer a prize for the top commenters on our blog for a month?
53. Why not install the Do Follow plugin for our comments?
54. Why not shop for Entrecard items through their marketplace?
55. Why not add a widget to your sidebar?
56. Why not submit your site to all the search engines?
57. Why not plan a blog attack for the next year?
58. Why not try to build a huge readership?
59. Why not follow everyone on Twitter who follows you?
60. Why not setup your comments as a contact form?
61. Why not remove non-used categories?
62. Why not learn about your blog post’s secret life after publishing?
63. Why not create a budget for your blog?
64. Why not monetize your blog in a new way?
65. Why not research new browser toolbars?
66. Why not come up with a new series of blog posts?
67. Why not encourage your readers to leave you feedback?
68. Why not strip your blog of useless badges?
69. Why not buy a notebook to write down blog post ideas for when you’re on the go?
70. Why not tell someone in the offline world about blogging?
71. Why not teach someone the basics of your chosen profession?
72. Why not write a blog post that will help others?
73. Why not write a blog post that reveals a little something about you personally?
74. Why not administer a poll to find out what direction readers would like to see the blog head?
75. Why not stumble other sites, creating positive karma your own site will get stumbled?
76. Why not sign up for Sphinn?
77. Why not create a contest for your blogging friends to all emphasize on their blogs?
78. Why not join a community on MyBlogLog?
79. Why not create a MyBlogLog account?
80. Why not boost your understanding of grammar rules?
81. Why not cement an understanding of common internet phrases?
82. Why not pump up your blog traffic by being Dugg?
83. Why not try your hand at Entrecard slots?
84. Why not do some exercise while blogging?
85. Why not come up with a memorable tagline for your blog?
86. Why not sift through your own archives to rejuvenate your blog purpose?
87. Why not seek out advice on your blog’s post quality?
88. Why not try a new meme you haven’t seen on any other blogs?
89. Why not check old posts for misspelled words?
90. Why not create a custom 404 page?
91. Why not submit a sitemap to Google, Yahoo, and MSN?
92. Why not suggest your blog for inclusion in a blog review site?
93. Why not buy a banner ad on a popular blog, if you can afford the space?
94. Why not add helpful information to your sidebar?
95. Why not add a line to your template so readers are reminded to subscribe to your blog?
96. Why not give a compliment to a new blogger?
97. Why not write about the services your enjoy using for free online?
98. Why not learn new ways to increase RSS subscriptions to your blog?
99. Why not seek advice from an old school blogger?
100. Why not write a list of 100 things to inspire others?

Feel free to visit:
http://www.jasonboom.com/100-why-not-activities-for-bloggers/

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.)
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Livestock

By:
http://theprepared.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=129&Itemid=56

Based on 101 ways to react to books by Nancy Mavrogenes in English Journal May 1977.

These are best used with students when copied onto cards.

THE CHARACTERS Discuss how the main character is like or unlike people you know.

THE CHARACTERS Pretend you're one character and introduce the other characters to your class.

THE CHARACTERS As an interior decorator, how would you decorate a character's bedroom and why?

THE CHARACTERS Invite one character to dinner and write a note of explanation to your mother.

THE CHARACTERS Invite three celebrities to a party for the main character and explain your choice.

THE CHARACTERS Write a page about a character beginning with the sentence: "I was (any verb) by ..."

THE CHARACTERS Make a time line of the events in the life of the main character.

THE CHARACTERS Write a chronology for one character.

THE CHARACTERS Make up five interview questions (with answers) for the main character.

THE CHARACTERS Explain where you think the main character will die.

THE CHARACTERS For a film of your book, which actress would you choose for the leading female and why?

THE CHARACTERS For a film of your book, which actor would you choose for the leading male and why?

THE CHARACTERS Explain what the main character would prefer for Christmas and why?

THE CHARACTERS Explain where the main character would prefer to vacation and why.

THE CHARACTERS Explain what the main character would prefer for dinner and why.

THE CHARACTERS Explain what the main character would prefer to wear and why.

THE SETTING Make a map of your book.

THE SETTING Compare where you live with the neighbourhood or town in your book.

THE SETTING Draw the setting of your book and explain it.

THE AUTHOR Write to the author and explain your reaction to his book.

THE AUTHOR Write to the author and explain why his book appeals to your age group.

THE AUTHOR Make up five interview questions (with answers) for the author.

THE AUTHOR Pretend you're the author and explain why you chose the title of your book.

THE AUTHOR Pretend you're the author and describe the part that was most fun to write.

THE AUTHOR Pretend you're the author and tell what else you've written.

THE AUTHOR Pretend you're the author and tell about your life and how this book fits into it.

THE PAST Tell what you think happened before the story began.

THE PAST Imagine that you're an eighteenth century student: How would you react to your book?

THE PAST If your story took place one hundred years earlier, how would your main character act?

THE PAST If your main character is from the past, how would he act if the book took place today?

THE FUTURE If you were a man from Mars, how would you react to your book?

THE FUTURE Describe what you think happened to the main character after the book ended.

THE FUTURE Explain why your book should be included in a capsule to be dug up in one hundred years.

THE FUTURE Make a horoscope for the main character explaining his sign and his future.

COMPARISONS Compare your book with another book you've read.

COMPARISONS Describe an experience you've had that was like the experience of a character.

COMPARISONS Compare your book with a movie or TV show of the same kind.

PRESENTING Design a book cover for your book.

PRESENTING Draw a comic strip of your book.

PRESENTING Draw a portrait of your favourite character and explain something about it.

PRESENTING Make any kind of illustration for your book (drawing, chart, graph) and explain it.

PRESENTING Cut words or pictures from the newspaper to make a collage or ad for your book.

PRESENTING Make a "WANTED" poster for the main character.

PRESENTING Make a "thumbprint" book about your book (the figures come from thumbs dipped in paint" and write captions for these illustrations.

PRESENTING Make a bulletin board about your book.

PRESENTING Create a poster for your book.

PRESENTING Write an ad for your book.

PRESENTING Make a bookmark for your book.

PRESENTING Collect pictures that go with your book and describe each.

PRESENTING Write out your title decoratively and for each letter write a phrase about the book.

SPEAKING Deliver a sales talk for your book.

SPEAKING Make a tape about your book.

SPEAKING Write ten discussion questions for your book.

DRAMA Dramatise your favourite incident.

DRAMA As a famous movie star, you have been asked to play a character: explain your answer.

DRAMA Write a TV commercial for your book.

DRAMA Make a TV script for one scene of your book.

DRAMA Play "What's My Line" with one character: write out questions to portray him.

DRAMA As a movie producer, explain why you will or will not make your book into a movie.

DRAMA Explain how your book could be make into a movie: clothes, setting, cars, props, etc.

CREATIVE WRITING Write any kind of poem about your book.

CREATIVE WRITING Write a letter to a friend describing this book you are going to send him.

CREATIVE WRITING Write a different ending for your book.

CREATIVE WRITING Keep a journal as you read your book: your reactions, thoughts, feelings.

CREATIVE WRITING Write a five-line "easy" poem about your book: a noun, then two adjectives, then three verbs, then a thought about the noun, and finally a synonym for the noun.

CREATIVE WRITING Write two articles for a newspaper published at the time of or in the country of your book.

CREATIVE WRITING Write an obituary for one character.

CREATIVE WRITING Write a diary for your favourite character.

VOCABULARY Make a small dictionary (at least twenty-five words) for the subject of your book.

VOCABULARY List fifteen interesting words from your book and tell why each is interesting.

VOCABULARY List new words learned from your book: Define them and give the sentences in which you found them.

VOCABULARY Choose some of the following words and explain how each applies to your book: stupendous, exciting, breathtaking, horrendous, fabulous, etc.

LITERARY QUALITIES Quote passages of good description and good dialogue and explain them.

LITERARY QUALITIES Find and write down twenty-five similes and metaphors.

LITERARY QUALITIES Think about who the narrator is: then write one scene from the point of view of another character and explain the switch.

LIBRARY PROJECTS Do research on any topic connected with your book.

LIBRARY PROJECTS In the "Reader's Guide" find five articles related to your book and tell how they apply.

LIBRARY PROJECTS Find a quotation applicable to your book and tell how it applies.

LIBRARY PROJECTS See if your book is in the library: then write a letter to the librarian either congratulating her for choosing it or asking her to order it.

LIBRARY PROJECTS Find a poem which applies to your book: write it out and explain how it applies.

CAREER EDUCATION Make a job application for the main character and fill it in.

CAREER EDUCATION What did you learn about the vocation of the leading adult character?

CAREER EDUCATION Find newspaper want ads of interest to a character and explain why.

VALUES CLARIFICATION As a psychiatrist, analyse the conflicts and problems of a character.

VALUES CLARIFICATION Would you like to have a character as a friend? Explain.

FUN Defend: This book should be read by everyone who hates reading.

FUN Defend: This book should never be spoiled by a teacher requiring a book report.

FUN Free choice: Do anything you want in connection with your book.

FUN How many reasons can you think of to take your book to an isolated Antarctica camp?

FUN Describe a field trip you would like to take because of your book.

FUN Write one page on this: Why ...... should not read this book.

FUN Make a crossword puzzle from your book.

CAREER EDUCATION Write a business letter to the publisher and order copies of your book; explain why.

CAREER EDUCATION From the yellow pages of a phone book, pick out businesses you think the main character would be interested in and explain why.

VALUES CLARIFICATION How did the book change your way of thinking?

VALUES CLARIFICATION Use this as a topic sentence, "This book made me (any verb)."

VALUES CLARIFICATION Explain what the main character would be least likely to do and why.

VALUES CLARIFICATION Did any character change during the book? Explain how and why.

VALUES CLARIFICATION What problems did the main characters have and how did they meet them?

VALUES CLARIFICATION If the book has a villain, was his punishment justified?

By:
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/resources/books.html

This booklet will help you recognize ways you can use energy wisely in the home, particularly
with home heating, water heating, cooling, refrigeration, cooking, lighting and laundering.
Some of these tips may look familiar – others are new. All of them can help you control your
energy bill.

HEATING
1. Insulate your home to adequate standards. It’s the single most important step you can take
towards saving energy in your home. Before building a new home, check your local building
codes for insulation standards which may apply.
2. Add insulation to your existing home where possible. Your home should have a minimum R-
30 insulation in the ceiling or attic. For advice on insulating your home, contact an insulation
contractor.
3. Install energy efficient windows that provide optimum light and view. Keep in mind that
larger glass areas increase heat loss and gain. Try to limit glass areas to 15 percent or less of
the square footage of floor space.
4. Select low-emissivity or insulated glass for windows throughout your home. It keeps heat
inside during the winter and outside in the summer.
5. Install wood- or metal-frame storm windows to provide a second thickness of glass and a layer
of still air that retards heat transmission.
6. Replace broken window glass, worn weather stripping and improperly fitting doors.
7. Install a tight-fitting damper and glass doors on your fireplace and close them when you’re not
using the fireplace. When dampers are open, they allow the natural draft of the chimney to
pull heated air from inside your home in the winter and cool air from inside your home in the
summer. Install an outside air vent on new fireplaces so that outside air can be used for
combustion rather than air inside the home.
8. Locate your heating thermostat on an inside wall away from windows and doors. Cold drafts
will cause the thermostat to keep your heating system running, even when the rest of your
house is warm.
9. Consider installing a heat pump in your home – it is the most energy-efficient heating system
you can buy. You’ll also get air conditioning because the heat pump reverses operation in the
summer to provide cooling comfort.
10. Keep the overhead door of an attached garage closed to prevent cold air from infiltrating your
house. Also, keep the connecting door to the house and heated basement closed.
11. Close hot-air registers and radiator valves in unused rooms with all types of heating systems
(except a heat pump). For zoned systems – such as ceiling cable or baseboard – set the
thermostat back in unused areas.
12. Make sure draperies and furniture aren’t blocking the registers in your house.
13. Open the draperies of south-facing windows on sunny winter days to take advantage of free
solar heat.
14. Use bath and kitchen exhaust fans only when needed during the heating season. Fans draw
heated air out of your home.
15. Set your heating thermostat as low as comfort permits. Each degree over 68 degrees F can
add three percent to the amount of energy needed for heating; each degree below 68 degrees F
can save about the same amount of energy.
16. Lower the thermostat a degree or two before you entertain a large group of people.
17. Check your furnace filter at least once a month during the heating season and clean or replace
it as needed.
18. Oil the motor and/or fan bearings of your forced-air furnace according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. This will extend the life of the equipment.
WATER HEATING
19. Set the temperature control on your water heater to 120 degrees F – 140 degrees F if you have
a dishwasher. The higher the temperature of the water sitting in the tank waiting for you to
use, the more heat it loses.
20. Locate your water heater as close as possible to the point of greatest hot water use. Hot water
remaining in a supply pipe after you turn off the tap eventually cools and is wasted.
21. Insulate long hot water supply pipes. Longer supply pipes lose more heat.
22. Use the smallest practical diameter for hot water supply pipes to minimize heat loss and to
reduce the volume of trapped water.
23. Install a large-capacity tempering tank in the supply line to the water heater when possible. A
tempering tank raises the temperature of water before it enters the water heater. The higher
the temperature of the water going into the heater, the less energy it needs to reach the desired
temperature.
24. Insulate your water heater with a special insulating kit or by wrapping the tank with R-19
insulation. Remember to leave openings around electrical connections, thermostats, heating
elements, gas supply lines, the air intake and the drain valve.
25. Add flow restrictors to showerheads and hot water faucets. These inexpensive and easily
installed devices reduce the amount of energy and hot water you use.
26. Repair leaky faucets promptly. A steady drip can waste gallons of hot water per month.
27. Encourage family members to take short showers instead of baths. The average person uses
about half as much hot water in a shower as in a tub.
28. Turn off running water when shaving or brushing your teeth and fill a dishpan with rinse
water instead of letting the faucet run while you wash dishes by hand.
29. Use cold water when operating your garbage disposal. It saves energy and solidifies the
grease, which is then ground up and flushed away.
COOLING
30. Consider installing an add-on heat pump in your home. It provides air-conditioned comfort in
the summer and low-cost heating in the winter.
31. Insulate your home to keep warm air out and cool air in. Your attic should have R-30
insulation. Contact an insulation contractor for insulation standards for the rest of your home.
32. Ventilate your attic to relieve heat buildup caused by the sun. Continuous ridge and soffit
venting is better than gable vents alone.
33. Improve airflow in the attic of your existing home by adding or enlarging vents, if necessary.
34. Seek professional help before purchasing cooling equipment for your home. Avoid over-sized
units – they use more energy and will not properly dehumidify your home.
35. Select air conditioning equipment on the basis of its Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). You can
calculate the EER for window units or central systems by dividing the cooling capacity
(expressed in BTUH) by the electric power input (expressed in watts). Generally, an EER of
13 or more is excellent, 11 or 12 is good and 10 is just adequate. Avoid equipment with an
EER below 10.
36. Locate the compressor units of central air conditioning and heat pump systems in an outside
area shaded by the house or by plantings. Keep your unit clean and free of plants or debris
that might interfere with air circulation.
37. Locate window air conditioners on the north side of your house. Direct sunlight on your unit
makes it work harder.
38. Set the cooling thermostat as high as comfort permits. The higher the setting, the more energy
you save.
39. Close air vents in rooms with a window unit installed so cool air can’t escape.
40. Close registers and turn off window air conditioners in unused rooms. Keep doors to unused
rooms closed. Do not close registers if you have central air conditioning or a heat pump.
41. Draw shades or draperies to block the sunlight during the hottest part of the day.
42. Install awnings over windows exposed to direct sunlight.
43. Limit the use of kitchen and bath exhaust fans. Only run them long enough to rid the house of
unwanted vapor, smoke and odors during the summer. Running the fans too long allows cool
air to escape.
44. Position heat-producing appliances – such as lamps and TV sets – away from the thermostat.
Heat from equipment may cause the thermostat to register a temperature that is higher than the
true room temperature. It could lead to overcooling the entire house.
45. Check air conditioner filters at least once a month during the summer and clean or replace
them as needed.
REFRIGERATION
46. Select refrigerator and freezer sizes that are just large enough for your family’s needs.
Anything larger uses more energy than necessary.
47. Keep refrigerators and freezers filled to capacity, but don’t overcrowd to the point where air
cannot circulate freely around food.
48. Vacuum condenser coils in the back or at the bottom of your refrigerator every three months
or as necessary. Dust-covered coils impair the efficiency of compressor operation and
increase energy use.
49. Make sure refrigerators and freezers have tight-fitting door gaskets to prevent infiltration of
warm air. Check your gasket by placing a 150-watt trouble light inside your refrigerator. If
you see light shining through to the darkened room, your door requires adjustment or a new
gasket.
50. Use the yellow EnergyGuide labels found on new refrigerators and freezers to help you
choose the most energy-efficient models. The labels compare the average annual operating
costs of various models.
51. If available, use the power-save switch on your refrigerator. This will allow you to turn off
the heating elements imbedded in the walls of your refrigerator that prevent condensation
from forming on the exterior surface. Generally, moisture only forms in humid weather, so
activate the elements during summer months if needed. Check your owner’s manual for
specific instructions.
52. Turn down the temperature of your refrigerator and remove perishable foods before going on
an extended vacation.
53. Do not place uncovered liquids in your refrigerator. In addition to absorbing undesirable
flavors, the liquids give off vapors that add to the compressor workload.
54. Remove all ingredients for a meal from the refrigerator or freezer at one time. Every time you
open the door, the compressor has to run a little longer to replace the cool air that spills out. A
chest-type freezer is less likely than an upright freezer to lose cold air when you open the
door.
55. Discourage leisurely open-door inspections of refrigerator contents by family members
looking for snacks.
56. Locate refrigerators and freezers away from direct sunlight and other warm-air sources, such
as ranges and dishwashers.
57. Do not allow ice to accumulate more than ¼ inch thick on manual defrost refrigerators and
freezers.
COOKING
58. Use pots and pans with flat bottoms on your range. To cook efficiently, heat must transfer
directly from the surface element to the pan. Warped bottoms leave an air gap, which
provides an escape route for the heat.
59. Select pots and pans that are the right size to completely cover the surface element. When any
part of the surface element is exposed, you’re wasting heat and energy.
60. Keep the reflector pans located beneath surface elements shiny and clean. Shiny pans reflect
heat rays onto pan bottoms – dull pans absorb the heat.
61. Use lids on pots and pans when cooking. Tight-fitting lids help keep heat in the pan, allowing
for lower temperature settings and shorter cooking times.
62. Heat only the amount of water you need for cooking. Water boils faster if you cover the pan
with a lid.
63. Start vegetables on high heat in a covered pan. When steam appears around the lid, lower the
heat setting and allow the food to simmer until done.
64. Plan one-dish meals in a slow cooker. Such meals require less energy than those calling for
the use of the oven plus two or three surface elements.
65. Use your pressure cooker more often – it cuts cooking time to one-third that of conventional
methods.
66. Consider cooking small quantities of food in appliances – such as an electric toaster oven,
skillet or grill – instead of your oven. Also, consider using a smaller coffee maker if you only
want one or two cups of coffee.
67. Use your microwave oven instead of your conventional oven whenever possible. Microwaves
can cook food in one-fourth or less the normal cooking time.
68. Cook your entire meal in the oven at the same time. Often, you can simultaneously cook
foods that have different cooking temperatures. Variations of 25 degrees usually produce
favorable cooking results.
69. Carefully time your preheat period when baking. Generally, five to eight minutes is sufficient.
There is no need to preheat for broiling, roasting or cooking most casseroles.
70. Rearrange oven shelves before turning on the oven to prevent wasteful heat escape.
71. Avoid opening the oven door for a “peek” when baking. Each time you open the door, a
considerable amount of heat escapes.
72. Activate the self-cleaning cycle on your electric oven only when the oven is heavily soiled.
Start the cycle right after using the oven while it is still hot.
73. Never use an oven to heat the kitchen or dry clothing. It wastes energy and can be hazardous.
LIGHTING
74. Check the wattages of the incandescent light bulbs in your house. In many cases, you can
substitute lower wattage bulbs that provide more light using the same amount of energy.
Check the lumens of a bulb instead of the watts. Lumens indicate the brightness of the bulb –
watts tell you the amount of power it takes to make the bulb work.
75. Use long-life bulbs only when advantageous, such as in hard-to-reach places. They provide
less light than standard incandescent bulbs of the same wattage.
76. Urge everyone to turn off lights when leaving a room. Installing wall switches in convenient
places helps everyone remember.
77. Select light fixtures on the basis of their efficiency. Fluorescent lamps produce about four
times as much light per watt as incandescent bulbs.
78. Install fixtures on two or three separate circuits in large rooms where you may need high
levels of lighting periodically but not all the time.
79. Use three-way switches or dimmer control switches to keep lighting levels low whenever
possible.
80. Install photo-electric controls and timers to turn off outdoor lights during the day.
81. Clean lighting fixtures regularly. Dust on lamps, reflectors and light bulbs impairs lighting
efficiency.
82. Locate floor, table and wall lamps in the corner of the room rather than against a flat wall.
Lamps in corners reflect light from two wall surfaces instead of just one; therefore, they
provide more light.
83. Choose light colors for walls, ceilings, floors and furniture. Light colors reflect light – dark
colors absorb light and require bulbs with higher wattages.
LAUNDERING
84. Sort clothes and schedule laundering so you can wash full loads. It takes almost as much
energy to run a small load as it does a full one.
85. Set the water selector on your washer to warm or cold for most loads. Very few loads require
hot water for washing. Tests indicate that cold-water detergents thoroughly clean most fabrics
in warm or cold water and provide considerable savings on the energy required for water
heating.
86. Always use cold water for rinse cycles.
87. Use the amount of laundry detergent manufacturers recommend. Too much detergent can
hamper effective washing action and may require extra rinsing which uses more energy.
88. Dry only full loads in your dryer, but don’t overload. It causes excessive wrinkling.
89. Avoid over-drying – this wastes energy and harms fabrics.
90. Remove clothes from the dryer as soon as it stops to prevent wrinkles from setting in. Clothes
you promptly fold or place on hangers require little or no ironing so you can conserve gas or
electricity – as well as your own energy.
91. Clean the lint filter after each drying cycle.
92. Locate your dryer in a place ventilated with fresh, dry air. Circulating humid air through the
machine increases drying time and the amount of energy needed to run it.
GENERAL
93. Clean or replace air filters on exhaust fans, humidifiers and other electric appliances. Clogged
filters impair performance and cause units to run longer.
94. Turn off the television when nobody’s watching.
95. Iron fabrics that require a cooler iron first and work up to those requiring higher heat. An iron
heats faster than it cools, so it’s quicker to go from low to high than the reverse.
96. Turn off the iron a few minutes before you finish ironing and complete the rest of your clothes
with the heat remaining in the iron.
97. Turn off the iron when the telephone or doorbell interrupts your work.
98. Store dirty dishes in the dishwasher until you have a full load. Dishwashers draw the same
amount of power whether you operate them full or half empty.
99. If your dishwasher has a power-save switch, use it to bypass the drying cycle. The electric
heating element for drying uses a considerable amount of energy.
100. Dry your hair with a towel instead of blow drying it. Many hair dryers consume as much
energy as an electric toaster, plus you use them for longer periods.

By:
http://www.hagerstownmd.org/Assets/100Ways-to-SaveEnergy.pdf