Make A Living Where You're Living
One of the two most important things you can do to burn less gas is to live near your work so you can walk or bike instead of driving.
Get Outdoors
The other most important thing you can do is to spend more time outdoors. When you do, you get acclimated to the local environment which means that when you return indoors, you might be able to throw the windows open rather than turning on the air conditioner on all but the most extreme days of the year. There is no equipment so efficient as that which is turned off.
Plant Street Trees
It’s much more comfortable and enticing to get outdoors and walk to work or to the store if you’re walking under a canopy of street trees. The tree canopy not only shades you from the sun, but the trees themselves transpire, which means that they emit moisture into the air, keeping you even cooler. They also clean stale air, replenishing it with oxygen. Trees are also more interesting than just a barren sidewalk, and street trees on your street (especially if one is in front of your house) raise the value of your house.
Re-Roof Light
If your roof is wearing out, be sure to replace it with a light-colored roof. Metal roofing is great in many places, and reflects over 90% of the sun’s heat back up to the sky, saving you hundreds or possibly even thousands of dollars every year in cooling costs. Even if your roof is new, a coat of white paint has a similar effect.