April
April 1 <Let the dandelions grow; no chemicals on our lawn>
April 2 <Cracked the code with EV chargers on 350 mile road trip>
April 3 <Did the math-Cost of EV charging vs. gas on road trip with Rubee>
April 4 <Charged Rubee for free with solar powered charger in Ann Arbor>
April 5 <Purchased loose leaf tea>
April 6 <Boiled only the water I needed for my cup of tea>
April 7 <Calculated the carbon footprint of my hot drinks>
April 8 <Bought new Allbird sneakers>
April 9 <Made homemade hummus>
April 10 <Used reusable napkins>
April 11 <Turned off the TV when not watching>
April 12 <Considered questions to ask when buying new clothes>
April 13 <Used AmazonSmile>
April 14 <Researched carbon emissions>
April 15 <Discovered EarthHero website & blog>
April 16 <Volunteered for Meals on Wheels>
April 17 <Collected batteries to dispose of properly>
April 18 <Considered reusable straws of silicone, metal, glass or bamboo>
April 19 <Opened my mind to imperfect fruit & veggies>
April 20 <Took a super short 1 minute shower>
April 21 <Enjoyed a low waste picnic>
April 22 <Discovered which type of Dr. Bronner’s soap I should use>
April 23 <Made overnight oats>
April 24 <Purchased non-chemical sunscreen>
April 25 <Tried bamboo paper towels>
April 26 <Parked in the shade>
April 27 <Made banana bread from overripe bananas>
April 28 <Watered plants with leftover water from water bottle>
April 29 <Installed a new (& more efficient) water heater>
April 30 <Turned down temperature on new water heater>
April 1, Day 89
<Let the dandelions grow; no chemicals on our lawn>
Every year, homeowners spray their yards with herbicides & pesticides to keep weeds & pests at bay, but it may be at a cost to honeybees & other pollinators. That's because bees & other beneficial insects rely on dandelions as a source of nectar in early spring, when most other flowers are not yet in bloom.
The problem is that many pesticides are toxic to bees, insects, birds & other animals. When they visit dandelions in their search for nectar, they also consume the pesticides, which can have deadly consequences.
The bee population has been declining over the past few years because of a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder, or CCD, which was first identified in 2006. The dwindling bee population is a concern across the world because bees are one of our most important pollinators. Pollination is necessary for many of the foods we eat every day. In the U.S., honeybees are responsible for about $20 billion in food production & are necessary for pollinating many important crops.
Chemical use on our lawns is a big industry. In fact, homeowners use up to 10 times more of these chemicals per acre to treat their lawns than farmers use on their crops, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. You can do your part to help the bees by eliminating or limiting the use of weed-killing herbicides on your lawn.
Dandelions are edible from root to flower. Though we typically think of dandelions as flowers, the plant is a perennial herb & is one of the oldest herbs used for food & healing — since before Roman times!
So, when the yellow dandelion flowers start to dot your lawn, hold off on mowing for awhile until they start to die back. That way, the bees get to enjoy the food supply these early bloomers provide.
April 2, Day 90
<Cracked the code with EV chargers on 700 mile road trip>
99% of the time I charge Rubee, my all electric Chevy Bolt, at home. Taking a longer road trip in an EV requires planning & patience. President Joe Biden is prioritizing a national EV charging network under his $2 trillion infrastructure bill, promising to have at least 500,000 of the devices installed across the U.S. by 2030. That will be awesome, but now in some areas EV charging stations are sparse. There are several smartphone apps that help.
PLUGSHARE- This is my favorite now that I have decoded how to set the filters. Find EV charging stations, leave reviews, & connect with other plug-in vehicle owners. I like the map view feature. I always try to leave a review after using a charger, letting others EV drivers know if I had a successful charge or if there were issues.
ABRP-A Better Route Planner-Set a route & find stations from point A to point B & see how long you will need to charge at each stop. Helpful planning app!
Rubee gets approx. 160-180 miles of range with 100% charge in March (28 degrees) weather & 235-250 miles in warmer summer weather. Getting more comfortable with each trip we take. This was learned on our two road trips to Michigan.
Most DCFC or Level 3 chargers (the fastest & only ones you really want to use on a road trip) only let you charge to 80%.
You don’t want to go below 10-15% charge, so that means you only really have 65-70% of charge to use for each leg.
Knowing this, we tried to keep the legs of the trip to around 120 miles max. In warmer weather, we hope to get much better mileage/range & can probably extend the legs to 140-150 miles.
A 5 1/2 hour, 350 mile trip was an extra 2 hours with 3 charging stops along the way. We wanted to arrive in Adrian, MI with at least 50% charge, because there are no Level 3 chargers there. Coming home only took 1 1/2 hours extra.
During charging stops we used our time to stretch, find some good food, use the restroom, & walk the dog. The stops offered a nice break & gave us an opportunity to explore neighborhoods we otherwise would not have found.
The cost? Less than we would have spent on gas because several charges were free. I will do the math another day!
April 3, Day 91
<Did the math-Cost of EV charging vs. gas on road trip with Rubee>
See my previous post about our 700 mile road trip to Michigan in my all electric car Rubee. Wondering how much it cost? This data is from our 1st trip in March.
Left home with 100% charge. Average of 192 mile range.
Drove 100 miles to Erie, PA- arrived with 36% or 56 miles range left. Charged for 1 hour to 80%. Cost nothing- session was “complimentary”!
Drove 110 miles to Westlake, OH-arrived with 25% or 41 miles range left. Charged for free overnight to 100% at BMW dealer near hotel.
Drove 83 miles to Blue Heron Ohio turnpike rest stop-arrived with 53% or 80 mile range left. Charged to 70% in 30 minutes. Cost $6.43
Total cost one way 350 miles $6.43
Drove 60 miles to Adrian, MI-arrived with 40% or 70 miles range left. Charged at a Level 2 charger to 100% in 5 1/2 hours. Cost $14.98 (this included some parking fees)
Trip back home- drove 132 miles to Sheffield, OH-arrived with 26% or 51 miles range. Charged 1 hour to 80%. Cost $15.15
Drove to Erie, PA-arrived with 20% charge or 30 miles range left. Charged 50 minutes to 80%. Cost FREE!
Drove 100 miles home- arrived with 25% or 39 miles range left.
Total cost homebound trip $30.13
Cost of 700 mile trip $36.56 or .05/mile. Not bad.
This was lucky because the Erie, PA & Westlake, OH charges were free. If we paid for all the charges, it would have cost us closer to .16/mile vs. approx .13/mile in an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
If you wanted to save money & seek out free charges you can definitely do it. It may take more time & make your trip longer unless you are charging while you sleep.
Bottom line-we save money overall driving Rubee considering we charge 99% of the time at home. Total cost of this to be determined another day!
April 4, Day 92
<Charged Rubee for free with solar powered charger in Ann Arbor>
Ann Arbor, MI is a pretty cool town we decided to explore when visiting our daughter. In Kerrytown & in the middle of great shopping (yarn shops & bike stores!) & restaurants is a municipal parking lot where we found a Level 2 charger powered by solar energy. Got a FREE charge for several hours while we ventured around town.
April 5, Day 93
<Purchased loose leaf tea>
I found some loose leaf tea at a sweet tea shop. So many yummy flavors, I had a hard time deciding which to try. Lavender peach!
If you want to minimize waste & create a better environment, you can buy loose leaf tea, instead of buying tea bags. Loose leaf tea comes with a number of benefits. You will love the original flavor. The major difference is the preparation & package.
Most tea bags are made of thin & permeable papers & some of them are not biodegradable. They contain harmful chemicals. The package & material can pollute the environment significantly.
In addition, you might be ingesting chemicals while using tea bags without your knowledge. Some tea bags contain Epichlorohydrin, a compound used as a pesticide or are bleached with chlorine. These becomes more active while coming into the contact of hot water. Not healthy.
Try some loose leaf tea!
April 6, Day 94
<Boiled only the water I needed for my cup of tea>
Only boil what you need – any extra & you’re wasting time, money, and valuable energy. If you boil more than you need (as most people do), you could easily add 20g to the carbon footprint of each drink.
Pretty straightforward really: unnecessary boiling = wasted electricity = easily avoidable carbon emissions.
April 7, Day 95
<Calculated the carbon footprint of my hot drinks>
Switching from coffee to tea lately had me thinking. What has a larger carbon footprint? They may not be as crucial as the homes we heat & the cars we drive but – depending on how we take them – hot drinks can make up a surprisingly large slice of our carbon footprints.
The carbon footprint of a cup of tea or coffee:
21g CO2e: black tea or coffee, boiling only the water you need
53g CO2e: white tea or coffee, boiling only the water you need
71g CO2e: white tea or coffee, boiling double the water you need
235g CO2e: a large cappuccino
340g CO2e: a large latte
If you drink four mugs of black tea per day, boiling only as much water as you need, that works out as just 30kg of CO2e each year – the same as a 40-mile drive in an average car. Three large lattes per day, by contrast, & you're looking at almost twenty times as much carbon, equivalent to flying half way across Europe. Surprisingly, adding milk will typically account for around two-thirds of the total footprint – more than boiling the water & cultivating the tea or coffee put together. Info from HERE.
April 8, Day 96
<Bought new Allbird sneakers>
One thing I have learned for my Daily Efforts is that you cast a vote for the kind of world you want every time you spend money. I LOVE this company’s mission! Sustainability is their priority! I purchase a beautiful red pair of Tree Dashers & I am loving them.
Wool, sugarcane, tree fiber, recycled bottles & castor bean oil are used in the making of these cool shoes. Replacing petroleum-based materials with natural ones, & inventing alternatives that don’t yet exist.
They measure everything that contributes to their carbon footprint, from the factory floor to the lights in HQ & they are working to reduce beyond carbon neutrality, with ambitions to eventually become climate positive.
While striving for longer-term climate goals, they offset all emissions to operate as a carbon neutral business.
April 9, Day 97
<Made homemade hummus>
Hummus is a staple in our home. Been wanting to make my own for a while. This recipe was delicious! Gone in 2 days! Full recipe & variations HERE.
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas or 1 1/2 cups (250 grams) cooked chickpeas
1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice (1 large lemon)
1/4 cup (60 ml) well-stirred tahini, see our homemade tahini recipe
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt to taste
2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 ml) water
Dash ground paprika or sumac, for serving
DIRECTIONS
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the tahini & lemon juice and process for 1 minute, scrape the sides & bottom of the bowl then process for 30 seconds more. This extra time helps “whip” or “cream” the tahini, making the hummus smooth & creamy.
Add the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, & a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the whipped tahini & lemon juice. Process for 30 seconds, scrape the sides & bottom of the bowl then process another 30 seconds or until well blended.
Open, drain, & rinse the chickpeas. Add half of the chickpeas to the food processor & process for 1 minute. Scrape sides & bottom of the bowl, then add remaining chickpeas & process until thick & quite smooth; 1 to 2 minutes.
Most likely the hummus will be too thick or still have tiny bits of chickpea. To fix this, with the food processor turned on, slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water until you reach the perfect consistency.
Taste for salt & adjust as needed. Serve hummus with a drizzle of olive oil & dash of paprika. Store homemade hummus in an airtight container & refrigerate up to one week.
April 10, Day 98
<Used reusable napkins>
Reusable napkins are easy & pretty! Save the trees & find a few sets of fabric napkins to dress up your table.
April 11, Day 99
<Turned off the TV when not watching>
Saved some energy & switched off the TV when I wasn’t watching. For example, a 50-inch LED television consumes much more electricity than a smartphone (100 times) or laptop (5 times). Most televisions average 80 to 400 kilowatt hours per year.
Considering the other appliances in your home, this wattage is pretty low. However, televisions are used quite often within the home. It's generous to say that tvs in this range are only switched on for 6 hours a day, mostly every day.
The wattage of an appliance is then multiplied by the amount that it is used. This provides how much energy is processed during its usage. The result is then stated in what's called "kilowatt-hours". In this equation, that comes out to 876 kWh & $105.12! Imagine this number in homes where someone may not have a job or has children. This number could be even higher! However, there are some practical solutions to saving energy & cutting down the costs.
Use the energy-efficient settings - These settings on tvs usually include a light sensor that will auto adjust the brightness depending on the amount of light in the room. This can really help out in households where the tv is on most of the day.
Cut down on the hours the tv is on - In a society where media rules all, this can be difficult. However, cutting down the hours can drastically help. Cutting the 6 hours down to 3 hours in the example above will slash those numbers in half. Another suggestion is using portable devices that aren't plugged in. Media can be streamed to so many platforms now, that using a smaller screen that is portable may be a good alternative.
April 12, Day 100
<Considered questions to ask when buying new clothes>
I try to consider these helpful questions before buying new clothes…
Will I wear it at least 30 times?
Do I feel good in this? Confident & comfortable?
Can I wear it multiple seasons?
Do I already have clothes that go with this?
Do I know the care instructions?
Will I be happy & excited to wear it often?
Thanks @rachelraisin
April 13, Day 101
<Used AmazonSmile>
I try to purchase goods locally 1st & then look to Etsy. When I do make the occasional purchase from Amazon, I do it thru AmazonSmile. It is a simple way to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile donates .5% of the purchase price from your eligible purchases to a charity of your choice. Available at smile.amazon.com
April 14, Day 102
<Researched carbon emissions>
In my quest to understand more about climate change, I found this site that gave a good explanation of carbon emissions. Here are some key points:
CO2 is released into the atmosphere in a ton of ways. When we extract, refine, transport, & burn fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, & oil, we release extra carbon & other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
We also cut down large expanses of CO2-absorbing trees to make way for agriculture & new developments, or collect lumber to create new products. When these trees burn or decompose, they emit even more CO2. By removing forests, we also effectively remove the natural systems that absorb & store carbon.
As with most things in life, there are two main ways to fix a problem. The first, & safest option, is to avoid the situations that cause it in the first place. The second is to revert what’s already been done. When you apply this thinking to carbon emissions, it means you can either lower your carbon footprint, or offset it.
April 15, Day 103
<Discovered EarthHero website & blog>
From turning out lights when you leave a room to commuting via bus or bike, you can reduce your footprint. Take a look at how you shop, & make a conscious effort to make more sustainable choices. Buy products that make you happy, but make them last. When you do shop, shop with companies that take a stand to reduce their own footprint. By shopping with companies that care, you’re sending the message that you care, too.
When you shop on EarthHero, all of your purchases are shipped carbon-neutral. Go ahead, shop with your values.
As an eco-friendly online marketplace, EarthHero has done the work so you don’t have to. Here, you can pick from products that are sourced, manufactured, & shipped in a way that protects our planet’s future. Each brand they’ve partnered with has been chosen because they’re taking the right steps & helping to create a more sustainable future. What are their brands doing differently?
April 16, Day 104
<Volunteered for Meals on Wheels>
On fridays for the last ten years, I have volunteered for Meals on Wheels. I am lucky to have my helpful co-pilot Birdie. Consider volunteering for a charitable group in your town.
April 17, Day 105
<Collected batteries to dispose of properly>
Alkaline batteries are the common household types found in remotes, clocks, flashlights, smoke detectors & other wireless devices. They are usually non-hazardous & can simply be tossed into a regular trash can, except in California. However, since they still have power in them, it’s best to follow a few precautions before you throw them out:
Collect used batteries in a container that won’t cause a spark such as a cardboard box or plastic tub.
Prevent any fire risk by taping 9-volt terminals before tossing.
Rechargeable batteries must be recycled, but you should try & recycle all batteries. Some batteries like NiCad ones have toxic metals such as cadmium & lead. Recycling makes sure the components of all batteries are handled properly & don’t end up in streams & landfills.
Here are some options for recycling:
Your neighborhood The Home Depot Store has partnered with Call2Recycle, a non-profit battery recycling program. You can recycle rechargeable batteries for free by placing them in Call2Recycle bins at the store. Any rechargeable battery, including lithium batteries or a cellphone battery that weighs up to 11 pounds and is under 300 watt hours, is accepted.
Call your local solid waste district to find out if your community has a collection program or upcoming event.
Some battery manufacturers & recycling facilities have mail-in programs. Before mailing your batteries, be sure to follow postal shipping precautions.
Check with your local auto dealer or battery retail location about recycling lead acid or car batteries.
April 18, Day 106
<Considered reusable straws of silicone, metal, glass or bamboo>
I purchased the Flyby straw to keep on my keychain!
Make the switch from plastic with one of these eco-friendly alternatives.
April 19, Day 107
<Opened my mind to imperfect fruit & veggies>
Not all weird looking produce is to be forsaken. My daughter is a fan of buying the lonely single bananas, because she was told they tend to be the ones that get not picked & eventually over ripen & spoil. I try to find the fruit or vegetables that have some character that others may find unsuitable.
There is a company that specializes in finding homes for high-quality food that grocery stores would rather let go to waste. Fight food waste with organic produce & sustainably sourced groceries delivered to your door at up to 40% off grocery store prices. And they use eco-friendly packing to ship. Check them out!
Use the referral code: COOKWME-WX8YWOJFEMZ for $10 off your 1st order.
April 20, Day 108
<Took a super short 1 minute shower>
The average 10 minute shower uses 50–75 gallons of water! If you shorten your shower by just a few minutes, you could save 25 gallons. That’s enough flush 4 extra times per day! According to Do Action List, only 0.0007% of the Earth’s water is drinkable, & we use about 1/5 of that in showers!
We are using too much of the Earth’s precious resources. You might not think that you can make a difference, but trust me you can. If you don’t want to shorten your showers, there are literally hundreds of other options to live more sustainably that you can do. But if you want to take the showers 1 step further, you could shorten them AND take cold showers. This helps with saving energy, & it’s good for you. There’s many advantages to this, & you can find a couple here.
April 21, Day 109
<Enjoyed a low waste picnic>
Next time you go on a picnic, treat yourself with real silverware, china & cloth napkins. To make it more eco-friendly, focus on using reusable containers & package free food. Bring less food than you think you’ll need to avoid lots of leftovers. Here are some ideas to help you have a low waste picnic.
April 22, Day 110
<Discovered which type of Dr. Bronner’s soap I should use>
I love making my own green cleaning & body products. (see my tab Healthy Home for recipes). Dr. Bronner’s makes Castile Soap as well as Sal’s Suds. There are so many overlapping uses. But is there any time in which they aren’t interchangeable? Yes, but just a few.
This article explains the best uses for each.
In a nutshell:
Situations to exclusively use Castile:
Your body – Head to toe.
Your animals – Any Castile soap scent on your dog. Baby Unscented on your cat.
Pest Control – Only Castile soap has this ability to eliminate insects.
Situations where to exclusively use Sal Suds:
Dishes
Cars
Most Laundry – sometimes, as with bedding, I use Castile soap.
Other than these few cases, I reach for whichever is closer at hand.
April 23, Day 111
<Made overnight oats>
Found several recipes for making overnight oats in a jar. Deceptively simple & surprisingly yummy.
Check them out HERE.
April 24, Day 112
<Purchased non-chemical sunscreen>
Here are 5 reasons why mineral sunscreen is best for your health and the planet.
Info from HERE. Thank you Body Unburdened.
1. The active ingredients in mineral sunscreen* do not absorb into the skin
Remember how your skin is your body’s largest organ & the majority of what you apply to it gets absorbed directly into the bloodstream? Well chemical sunscreen depends on this—it works by the active ingredients absorbing into the skin where they then scatter the sun’s rays. But some of these active ingredients (such as homosalate & oxybenzone) have been linked to endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, &/or developmental/reproductive toxicity.
When you choose a mineral sunscreen *made with non-nano active ingredients, however, the active ingredient does not absorb into the skin. Instead it acts as a protective layer on top of your skin, reflecting rays like a mirror. This is why non-nano zinc oxide is considered the gold standard of natural, mineral-based sun protection!
2. Mineral sunscreen offers immediate, long-lasting protection
Because the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens need time to absorb into your skin, you need to wait for a period of time (usually 15-20 minutes) before going into the sun.
But since they act as mirrors, mineral sunscreens start working as soon as they are applied.
3. Mineral sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection
If you’re wondering “Is mineral sunscreen as effective?” not only is the answer YES! but actually EVEN MORE!
While all chemical sunscreens protect your skin from the skin-burning UVB rays, some don’t offer protection from deeper-penetrating UVA rays. UVA rays are associated with premature aging, something I’m sure we’d all like to avoid!
Mineral sunscreens protect from both UVB & UVA rays.
4. Mineral sunscreen is less irritating to sensitive skin
Some of the active ingredients used chemical sunscreens trigger allergies & skin reactions (since they’re not natural & the skin is like “What!?“).
Since mineral sunscreens contain natural minerals as their active ingredients, they are much less likely to cause irritation. In fact, zinc oxide—one of the most popular mineral sunscreen ingredients—is actually used in natural diaper rash creams to soothe irritated little bottoms.
5. Mineral sunscreen is better for the environment
One of the most commonly used active ingredients in chemical sunscreens oxybenzone is known to kill coral reefs, which are home to 25% of all ocean life. For this reason, reefs are disappearing twice as fast as rain forests!
According to TIME:
Currently, somewhere between 4,000 & 6,000 tons of sunscreen enters coral reef areas around the world each year, according to the U.S. National Park Service. That’s a lot of sunscreen considering how little it takes to cause toxic effects. According to the new research, toxicity occurs at a concentration of 62 parts per trillion. That’s the equivalent of a drop of water in an Olympic swimming pool.
In May of 2018, Hawaii actually passed a bill to ban the sale of all sunscreens with this ingredient in order to protect the reefs! (source) In February of 2019, Key West followed suit. (source)
If we can do our part to prevent this just by switching to natural mineral sunscreen, why wouldn’t we?
April 25, Day 113
<Tried bamboo paper towels>
Info from HERE.
Reasons You Should Make a Change to Bamboo Paper Towels
They help you save money.
Bamboo paper towels reduce waste.
These paper towels are biodegradable.
Bamboo paper towels are ethical.
They last longer.
April 26, Day 114
<Parked in the shade>
Why? The easy answer is it keeps your car cool & comfortable.
Remember the outcry about using plastic bottles that have BPA in them? Turns out it wasn’t just your Nalgene. It has been found that the BPA threat is present in your car’s cabin as well. For years, the government has failed to stress the dangers of exposure to molten hot plastics, so be sure to always park in the shade. As the plastics warm, potentially harmful aromas can be released & over time may cause serious damage.
Also, avoid fading or blistering paint, faded seats, cracked dashboards & as well as uncomfortably hot steering wheels & seats.
April 27, Day 115
<Made banana bread from overripe bananas>
Yummy & a great way to use speckly overripe bananas!
Banana Bread
From Karen Adams, my kids’ 1st babysitter over 20 years ago! Still my favorite banana bread.
3 very ripe bananas
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup chopped nuts
chocolate chips- optional
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter & flour a loaf pan. Use a fork to mash bananas in large bowl. Add eggs & mix well. Sift flour, sugar, salt & baking soda over bananas. Stir well. Mix in nuts & optional chocolate chips. Spoon batter into pan. Bake 1 hour or less, (when toothpick comes out clean).
Also can bake as mini loaves for approximately 30 minutes.
April 28, Day 116
<Watered plants with leftover water from water bottle>
I take my reusable water bottle everywhere I go. Leaving the house I make sure I have keys, phone, wallet, mask & water bottle! When I get home, most times I have some water left in the bottle. My houseplants appreciate a splash.
April 29, Day 117
<Installed a new (& more efficient) water heater>
Water heaters have a lifespan of approximately 10-12 years. Sometimes longer if you are lucky. Ours stopped working at 10 years! Water heaters are the second highest source of energy usage in the home. ENERGY STAR certified water heaters are an easy choice for energy savings, performance, & reliability. They use less energy than standard models, saving homeowners money on their utility bills while helping protect the climate.
What is the most efficient water heater for your home? There are a lot of things to consider. A professional plumbing or heating contractor will be able to provide a good suggestion based on your home & your needs.
April 30, Day 118
<Turned down temperature on new water heater>
Adjust your water heater temperature! If your conventional water heater’s temperature is set too high, you could be losing lots of energy keeping that water warm when no one is using it. Take a look at your water heater & use your manual or search online to find where the energy efficient dials are, if you don’t already know. Gas water heater tanks tend to have one bottom control, while electric water heaters may have two different sensors to tweak. Turn the temperature setting down to 120 degrees F. This temperature will still get your clothes & dishes clean.