When we talk about Switch & Save, we're usually talking about swapping out old incandescent light bulbs for energy efficient CFLs.  But there's another way to switch & save: it's by using a switchable power strip!  Noah from Divine Providence shows off his -- which can shut down his family's Sony Playstation 3, Wii and HD TV.  He knows how to switch & save, do you? 

Gianella from Hanson Park School is checking her fridge to make sure its temperature isn't too cold!  Setting your fridge below 35 degrees F can "over chill" your food unnecessarily, wasting electricity, and perhaps even put ice crystals in your milk!  Yuck. 

This student from St Cyril doesn't stand there with the fridge door open, she takes a peek, then closes the door to keep the cold air inside while she thinks about what to eat.  Hey, not only is this a great energy efficiency tip -- but it'll help develop your memory skills!  :) 

Angelina of St Cyril & Methodius makes sure that her family room's electronics are plugged into a switchable power strip.  That way when they're done watching TV or playing video games, they can shut off the power completely and avoid "vampire load" (the power electronics consume when they're supposed to be turned off).  Nice job, Angelina!

The competitive students at Divine Providence held a "lights out" day today, Thursday, April 26th, to help their school building reduce its energy consumption -- but also to show how "daylighting" can, in some instances, replace the use of electric lights altogether!  It's amazing how much light can enter a room when the window curtains are pulled aside, or skylights are strategically installed.  Students learned first hand how easy it is to do -- and hopefully they'll take this learning home!  Way to go, Divine Providence!

Divine Providence has a large colorful poster in their hallway that features the names of every student whose parent has submitted a tip or comment to the school Web site!  Wow!  Look at all those names!  Way to go, DP!

Everyone wants to be "cool."  But being too cool can be bad.  The Steward family of St Mary School got their fridge thermometer and immediately put it to use!   Their fridge isn't too cold and is saving energy dollars!  Have you received your thermometer yet? 

If your home doesn't have a programmable thermostat, you're missing a HUGE opportunity to become more energy efficient.  Programmable thermostats can cost as little as $35, and can save you more than that in energy in just a few months!  This Divine Providence family has one, why doesn't yours?

A FREE ComEd online account can help you become more energy efficient.  You'll find online audits to help you save energy dollars; you can enroll in Central AC Cycling and earn up to $10 summer bill credits; you can even sign up for paperless billing and save postage costs (and trees)!  Eddie from Divine Providence convinced his parents to get an account.  Nice job!

That's Eddie, from Divine Providence.  He's changing out his home's furnace filter with a little help from his parents, because they know that a dirty filter diminishes the air volume that can be pushed through a home's duct system.  That makes it more difficult for the system to heat or cool the home because its fan must work longer and harder to move the air.  Nice job, Eddie!