{"id":722,"date":"2008-11-01T12:17:40","date_gmt":"2008-11-01T12:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.energyrefuge.com\/blog\/how-to-increase-your-mpgs\/"},"modified":"2017-09-05T17:54:17","modified_gmt":"2017-09-05T21:54:17","slug":"how-to-increase-your-mpgs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.energyrefuge.com\/blog\/how-to-increase-your-mpgs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Increase Your MPGs"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have been reading about alternative energy, energy conservation and the environment for years. <\/p>\n

I do not know how many times I have read an article about how to increase your gas mileage. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I recently got the Geico direct magazine\/newsletter. On their drivewise page, they have a strange assortment of the tips from the US Department of Energy: <\/p>\n

    \nExtra weight in your car decreases gas mileage.
    \nAvoid warming up your car.
    \nUse cruise control.
    \nAvoid aggressive driving.<\/ol>\n

    This is from a car insurance company, so the idea of using public transportation did not make the list, nor did organizing one’s errands so you only have to go out once. Those two suggestions would actually have you using your car less, thus decreasing your gas per week, if not per mile.<\/p>\n

    There is a different point of view from the one usually foisted upon us. Yes, changing your behaviors while driving will increase miles per gallon, but changing how many miles you drive will also dramatically increase your time between fill ups. Yes, replacing incandescent bulbs with energy saving bulbs will save energy, but not turning the lights on and using daylight will cost you even less.<\/p>\n

    As I write this at 8 in the morning, I have all of my blinds open and not a single light on. That saves more energy than any replacement of a bulb can. And as the sunlight streams in, it also warms up my little apartment in November so the heat pump doesn’t have to run.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

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