When you live off campus you feel the pinch of rising energy costs more than your on-campus counterparts whose energy use is included in the cost of their room. But whether you pay a flat fee or pay for just the energy you use, conserving energy should be something everyone does. Not only does it save money, but it reduces carbon emissions, can help bring down energy prices for everyone and preserves energy resources for the future. Here are a few savvy saving tips:
- Blackout your room. Insulated or blackout drapes and blinds reduce energy loss through your windows. You may even sleep better since these window coverings block out more light, too.
- Go cold. Most of the energy involved in laundry comes from washing clothes in hot water. Click to cold to reduce energy use (and also your chances of shrinking or staining). While youâre at it, clean the dryerâs lint filter to increase efficiency.
- Buy energy superstars. When purchasing electronics or small appliances, look for Energy Star certified products that are best in class in energy savings.
- Go on a filter frenzy. Heating/air conditioning filters need periodic replacing or cleaning (depending on the type of filter), so locate yours. Dirty filters decrease the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, making it work harder to regulate temperature.
- Pull the plug. Did you know that your TV uses electricity even when turned off? Same goes for your game console, stereo, printer, coffee maker, and any other electronic or appliance that has a standby mode. Unplug these energy vampires when not in use, or especially before leaving for vacation. Better yet, buy a âsmartâ power strip that automatically turns off these gadgets when not in use.
- Air tight. Windows and exterior doors should be shut while air conditioning or heating is on. Often the outside temperature makes the heater or air conditioner work harder and waste energy.
- Get a summer fan. When North Carolina weather heats up, turn on a fan, which can make a room feel cooler at a fraction of the energy used when you turn down the thermostat.
- Every degree matters. In the summer, keep it at 78 degrees for good efficiency, and in the winter that number is 68 degrees. Unless youâre out; then adjust the thermostat 4-7 degrees to save energy and about $180 a year. Pandora doesnât like to play to an empty room and neither should your heater/air conditioner.
- Compute your savings. Hibernate or âsleepâ your computer instead of using screensavers, which use just as much energy as regular operation. And before you shut your eyes for the night, shut down your computer.
- Better bulbs. Outfit your desk lamp or other lamps with energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these alternates to traditional incandescent bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy and last 10 (CFL) or 25 (LED) times as long.
All the energy we use adds up, so do your part to reduce your use.