Public Housing Environmental and Conservation Clearinghouse

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would like to encourage public housing agencies (PHAs) and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) to join us in recognizing October as Energy Awareness Month. Our theme for this year, “Commit to Conserve”.

Currently, utility costs make up approximately 24 percent of the operating expenditures for Public Housing Authorities alone. With the current state of fuel prices, projected winter heating costs accompanied by our Nation’s economic conditions, each of us, Public and Indian Housing Authorities, residents, and all Americans should commit to do our part. United as a HUD family, we can make a difference.

The Commit to Conserve Campaign allows us to do just that. Conservation efforts start with the individual. The following is a partial list of simple, everyday conservation measures we can all easily commit to:

Turn off the lights when leaving the room
Use microwave ovens to cook small meals
Take shorter showers
Maintain and repair leaking air conditioning and refrigeration systems
Change light bulbs from inefficient incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
Change furnace filter every thirty days
Use the short wash cycle on dishwashers and clothes washers
Use cold water when washing clothes