By Tania Tan

1. Buy energy-efficient appliances

Since January this year, all air-conditioners and fridges have to be labelled with energy-efficient labels issued by the National Environment Agency.

The more ticks, the greater the energy efficiency of the appliance - which also means more savings on the power bill.

2. Don't leave household appliances on standby - switch off the main power source

Standby power accounts for up to 10 per cent of home electricity use.

Ensuring the mains are switched off could save you about $50 a year.

3. Use public transport

Taking a bus or train cuts individual carbon emissions.

Use trip planners available online at www.sbstransit.com.sg to help save travel time.

With rising fuel costs, taking public transport not only helps the environment, but it also makes economic sense.

4. Recycle paper

Use double-sided printing, and think twice before printing out e-mail.

5. Tired of receiving junk mail? Use the opt-out option and save paper too

SingPost offers residents the choice to opt out from receiving advertising mailers, catalogues and brochures - online.

To opt out, call the SingPost hotline on 6845-6210 or e-mail singpost@singpost.com.

6. Download music and movies from reputable online sources, instead of buying a CD or DVD

Discs not only require resources to produce, but they also need to be transported from producers to stores, thus using up fuel.

7. Recycle your clothes

While stocking up on new fashions at the Great Singapore Sale, remember that last season's trends also required resources such as natural material.

Instead of letting these clothes go to waste in your closet, recycle them.

Give them away, or sell them at flea markets.

Buying second-hand clothes also increases their lifespan, and ensures the resources that went into producing them are stretched further.

8. Save water by taking shorter showers

Shaving one minute off your shower time could save up to 40 litres of water.

Switch to low-flow showerheads and taps to conserve water.

9. Install toilet flush systems that have half and full flushes

Resist the urge for a full flush when a half flush will do.

10. Check for leaky taps around the house

To determine if there is any leakage, check the water meter before and after two hours of not turning on any water sources in the house.

If you do spot leaky taps or hoses, change them immediately.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 21 June 2008.