Speaking TEN ENERGY-SAVING TIPS FOR YOUR HOUSE 1. Use Fluorescent Bulbs. Replace conventional incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They cost a little more, but last up to 10 times longer, use two-thirds less energy and give off percent less heat. 2. Look for the AAA Label. AAA-qualified home appliances use about half as much energy as old and unqualified ones. 3. Get Unplugged. Many home electronics still consume energy even when they are turned off. Many devices with a stand-by mode will continue to use power. Also, chargers and power adapters continue to draw power from the wall socket even if the device is not attached. Unplug these devices to make sure that you aren t wasting energy. 4. Double-Up on Windows. Replacing old single-pane windows with double pane-windows helps reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in the summer. 5. Turn Down the Thermostat. Lowering your thermostat by just one degree can reduce costs by about four percent. 6. Sustainable Floors. Cork or bamboo floors are natural insulators. 7. Earth-Friendly Decks. A lot of deck material comes from tropical forests. These woods look great and are resistant to the weather for a very long time. 8. Low-Flow Taps. They reduce water consumption and water heating costs by as much as 50 percent. 9. Buy Renewable Energy. Check with your local company and see if you can buy renewable energy. 10. Recycle! After you replace all those inefficient windows and fixtures, make sure you recycle all that metal and glass. HINTS A. Complain about your last electricity bill and ask for advice. B. Say that you ve found an article about how to save energy in your house and that you ve started doing what was suggested. A. Ask for examples. B. Say you replaced old bulbs with new ones. A. Say you also have to buy a new washing machine because the old one is not working. B. Give advice about energy-saving home appliances, and warn about the stand-by mode. A. Express surprise. Say you didn t know. B. Ask about A s windows (single-pane or double-pane?). A. Answer. Ask why. B. Answer. A. Ask if B has any suggestions for saving money on heating the house. B. Answer. Add suggestions about insulating floors. A. Ask about how to save water. B. Answer. And give advice about renewable energy and recycling. A. Thank. deck (AmE): pavimento esterno gain: guadagno to give off: rilasciare, emettere household: domestico light bulb: lampadina pane: (lastra di) vetro ONLINE RESOURCES Energy star BIO AND MAN-MADE CONSTRUCTIONS Module 2 75