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In honor of Earth Day, Duke Energy and WFYI want to share these important energy saving tips. There's more energy saving information at duke-energy.com/savings.

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
• In your computer’s power options, set up your PC to go into standby mode after 15 minutes of non use and set it to hibernate or sleep after 45 minutes of non use. These energy saving modes cut your PC's electric usage down to just a few watts. Screen savers, while effective in preserving the monitor, use the same amount of energy as when you are using the computer. Turn off your monitor when it is not in use. The monitor consumes over half of the energy used by a computer.
• Printing can be the most energy-intensive step, so print only pages you need. Edit documents on-screen and use print preview to reduce the number of drafts you actually print.
• Did you know that laptops use 10 percent or less of the electricity consumed by typical desktop computers?
• Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the fresh food compartment and 0 degrees for the freezer section.
• Keep refrigerator motor and coils clean and unobstructed. And defrost freezers when the build up of ice is more than a quarter of an inch.

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• Tips for your car (all of these tips can help save gas and money)
  • Combine your errands into one trip and park centrally, walking as much as possible.
  • Choose your route before you leave to avoid traffic tie-ups.
  • Limit engine idling time to not more than 30 seconds.
  • Accelerate gradually, maintain speed limit and use cruise control on the highway.
  • Avoid waiting in long drive-through lines.
  • Keep your vehicle well maintained (change air and oil filters regularly, keep tires properly inflated and aligned, repair all vehicle leaks, make an appointment with a repair tech if "check engine light" is on)
  • Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank.
  • Replace gas tank cap tightly.
• Tips for Home (all of these tips can help save money)
  • Use energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
  • Turn off appliances and lights when not in use.
  • Use the microwave to cook small meals.
  • Plant deciduous trees to provide shade in the summer and to allow light in the winter.
  • Reuse materials like paper bags and boxes.
  • Keep household paints, solvents and pesticides in air-tight containers.
  • Keep woodstoves and fireplaces well maintained.
  • Keep air conditioning and refrigeration systems well maintained.
  • Reduce air conditioning and heating use when possible.
  • Check air conditioning and heating filters monthly.
  • Insulate your home, water heater and pipes.

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In celebration of Earth Day, WFYI and the Indiana corn and soybean council want to share these environmental tips with you. Indiana-grown biofuels, like soy biodiesel and ethanol, reduce America’s dependency on foreign oil, support the American economy and are better for our environment.

• According to the Renewable Fuels Association’s recent report on the economic impact of the ethanol industry, in 2007 ethanol supported more than 230,000 U.S., jobs, put more than $12 billion into the pockets of American consumers, and generated more than $8 billion in tax revenue. A country without ethanol would be a country with more foreign oil ... more expensive gasoline ... and more unemployment.
• In 1977, U.S. petroleum refiners were getting approximately 19.5 gallons of gasoline out of a 42-gallon barrel of crude oil. Thirty years later, a barrel of oil still yields the same amount of gasoline while the price of a gallon of gas now costs nearly four times what it did in 1977. In comparison, in 1977 an acre of corn yielded enough grain to produce about 200 gallons of ethanol. Corn yield per acre has increased 69 percent and ethanol plants are able to get 50 percent more biofuel out of a bushel of corn. Today, an average acre of corn will produce about 430 gallons of ethanol.
• Ethanol adds oxygen to gasoline — helping it burn more completely, thus significantly reducing tailpipe emissions. Ethanol is a clean-burning renewable fuel that helps reduce emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOC).
• Biofuels are good for our environment; good for your car and good for our economy. Indiana biofuels industry provides an economic boost to our rural communities with new jobs and new capital. According to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana’s new ethanol and biodiesel plants will create more than 670 direct jobs for Hoosier workers and many more in other supporting industries. In total, they have invested more than $1.7 billion in capital expenses and added millions of dollars in new farm income.

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In celebration of Earth Day April 22nd, WFYI and the Indiana Soybean Alliance want to share these environmental tips with you. Indiana-grown biofuels, like soy biodiesel and ethanol, reduce America’s dependency on foreign oil, support the American economy and are better for our environment.

• In 2000, biodiesel became the only alternative fuel in the country to have successfully completed the EPA-required Tier I and Tier II health effects testing under the Clean Air Act. These independent tests conclusively demonstrated biodiesel’s significant reduction of virtually all regulated emissions, and showed biodiesel does not pose a threat to human health.
• Biodiesel can also help meet national goals for the net reduction of atmospheric carbon. As a renewable fuel derived from organic materials, biodiesel and blends of biodiesel reduce the net amount of carbon dioxide in the biosphere. A study by the U.S. Department of Energy has found that biodiesel production and use, in comparison to petroleum diesel, produces 78.5 percent less CO2 emissions.

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• Increase your awareness.
  Sign up for Knozone Air Quality Action Day e-mail alerts at www.knozone.com. While there, check out the most recent air quality reading. You can also call the Air Quality phone line at (317) 327-4AIR (4247) for up-to-date air quality readings and tips to help clean the air.
• Start a carpool or vanpool.
  Carpooling or vanpooling is a great alternative to commuting to work, school or play alone each day. Not only are you helping reduce air pollution, you can also save money. Click here for a Commuter Cost Calculator.
  In the nine county Central Indiana region, Central Indiana Commuter Services provides mobility solutions and commute options free of charge. Please call (317) 327-RIDE or visit www.327RIDE.net for more information.
• Use public transportation.
  Take the bus to work, school or to run a few small errands. In Marion County, IndyGo is the public transportation service provider. If you want to plan a trip using IndyGo, call (317) 635-3344. IndyGo customer service representatives are available six days a week to answer questions and help you plan your next trip. You can also visit www.IndyGo.net for more information.
• Use a bicycle or walk short distances.
  Riding a bike or walking short distances is one of the best ways to help clean the air and also helps improve your physical health. Remember, try to perform outdoor activities in the morning or evening when air pollution levels are lower.
  By the way, Marion County has a celebrated system of greenways throughout the community, which includes inter-connected bicycle paths. Visit the IndyParks Greenways home page at http://www.indygreenways.com for more information.
• Delay using gas-powered vehicles or tools, including recreational vehicles and lawn mowers until a Knozone Air Quality Action Day has ended.
  Exhaust from small engines, like lawnmowers, contribute to ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution. In fact, industry experts say that a typical 3.5 horsepower gas mower engine can emit the same amount of volatile organic compounds – key precursors to smog – in an hour as a new car driven 340 miles.
  Lawn and garden equipment users inadvertently add to the problem by spilling 17 million gallons of fuel each year while refilling their outdoor power equipment. That's more petroleum spilled than the Exxon Valdez in the Gulf of Alaska.
  If you need to purchase a new lawnmower, consider buying an electric-powered or reel mower. Both are environmentally friendly and cut down on noise pollution.
• Avoid burning twigs, limbs and branches on a Knozone Air Quality Action Day.
  In Marion County only dried twigs, limbs and branches originating on the property can be legally burned between the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, additional restrictions do apply. There are no additional restrictions on a Knozone Air Quality Action Day. The City asks however, that no open burning take place on Knozone Air Quality Action Days. Rather than burning materials that release fine particles into the air, consider mulching your yard debris and using it around trees and plants. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works does provide twig, limbs, and branch removal. For more information, please visit the DPW website.

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In celebration of Earth Day, WFYI and Lee and Ryan want to share this energy saving tip with you.

• Spring weather often comes with April showers. Protect your indoor air quality. Dry all water-damaged areas and items within 48 hours to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.

WFYI and Cool Planet Awnings reminding you that Earth Day and everyday is a time to act to protect our planet.

Cool Planet Awnings provides custom awnings ... keeping the planet cool while improving your image. For more information call 927-9000 or visit www.coolplanetawnings.com

Silver in the City, a sterling silver jewelry and gift boutique located at 434 Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indianapolis, encourages customers to bring reusable shopping bags or totes purchased from the store for a 5 percent discount. Silver in the city, located at 434 Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indy and online at www.shopsilverinthecity.com/

WFYI and Virtural Scavengers Project reminding you that Earth Day and everyday is a time to act to protect our planet.

Virtural Scavengers Project protects the environment by keeping computers and other electronics out of landfills and puts them in the hands of those who need them. More information at www.vscavengers.org.

Green Way Supply

• Recycle paper, plastic, glass and aluminum waste at your home and office. Remanufacturing these recyclable products saves resources and landfill waste.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room and use CFC light bulbs to lower your energy bills.
• Properly inflate your tires, keep your car tuned up and car pool to reduce you transportation costs.
• Plant a tree to help clean the air, provide cooling shade and habitat.
• Use programmable thermostats to lower your home energy use and save money.
• Check furnace and car filters, it improves energy efficiency.
• Wash clothes in cold water and use a clothes line to air dry them.
• Fill toilet tanks with a plastic bottle or two and reduce water use.
• Unplug unused appliances and use power strips to reduce phantom power use
• Compost vegetable and yard waste to reduce what you throw out each week.
• Use rain barrels to collect water for your garden.
• Be mindful of the cleaners and chemicals you use in your home so you can reduce harmful indoor o-zone.
• Use reusable water bottles because water bottles require more that 1.5 million barrels of oil a year and 85% of them end up in land fills.