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10 Surefire Ways to Save Energy and Stay Warm This Winter

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Minimize Gas Use

Energy waste occurs outside the home, as well. Letting your car idle for long periods of time gets you 0 miles per gallon and wastes fuel. The best way to warm up your car in the winter months is to drive it. Thirty seconds is all you need to idle; anything more than that just wastes gas and increases emissions. Aggressive driving, such as speeding, hard braking, and accelerating quickly, can lower gas mileage up to 33% on the highway, and 5% when driving in the city. Speeding is a particularly big energy waster. If you cut your speed from 75 mph to 65 mph, you can burn up to 15% less fuel. Using overdrive will also slow down your car's engine, which saves gas and helps cut down on wear. Other tips to improve your gas mileage include the following:

• Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer. Using a different kind can cut your gas mileage by 1-2%.

• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned, to improve your gas mileage by about 3%.

• Replace any clogged air filters to improve gas mileage by up to 10%, as well as help protect your engine.

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