Greener Behrend: Energy Savings- Off-Campus Students
- Dress appropriately for the weather. (In warm weather, wear short-sleeved clothing, and light fabric; in cold weather, wear layers.)
- Lower thermostat to about 65 degrees F during the day and 60 degrees F at night during winter.
- Keep air conditioning thermostat as high as possible (around 78 degrees F).
- Don’t set thermostat at cooler setting than normal when turning air conditioner on.
- Turn off window air conditioner when you leave a room for several hours.
- Use a fan in conjunction with your air conditioning unit.
- Turn off lights/other appliances when you leave a room.
- Use blinds, curtains, or shutters to keep room from heating up in summer, and keep heat in the winter.
- Keep refrigerator temperature at appropriate setting (between 38 and 42 degrees F, for freezer 0 to 5 degrees F).
- Clean refrigerator condenser coils (unplug first!!).
- Use public transportation / bicycle / walking as much as possible.
- Do cooking in the early morning or late evening hours.
- Preheat oven the shortest amount of time.
- Don’t “peek” into the oven.
- Put lids on pots.
- Match size of pot to the size of the burner.
- When using the drier:
- Only dry full loads, but don’t over load.
- Be sure to clean lint screen.
- Do not set cycle to run longer than necessary, you can always start drier again.
- Dry loads consecutively.
- Separate heavy and light items.
- Persuade landlord/parents to:
- Weather strip / caulk cracks in doors/windows.
- Insulate windows with thick curtains or blinds.
- Install storm windows/doors.
- Add insulation.
- Keep heating/cooling equipment in top condition.
- Consider a heat pump.
- Install clock thermostat.
- Buy proper size gas furnace that incorporates an automatic stack damper or induced draft fan, or an oil furnace with a flame-retention head burner.
- Service oil furnace at least once a year.
- Clean or replace the filter in forced-air heating system each month.
- Buy energy-efficient air conditioner.
- Make sure the ducts in your air-conditioning system are properly sealed and insulated.
- Consider individual window or through the wall air conditioner units.
- Install a whole-house ventilating fan.
- Clean or replace air-conditioning filters a least once a month.
- Plant trees around house to cool and protect from winds.
- Install vents and exhaust fans to pull heat and moisture from the attic, kitchen, and laundry directly to the outside.
- Apply glazing to windows or replace with high efficiency kind.
- Install solar hot-water heater.
- Have local utility perform an “energy audit” of your house/apartment.
- Lower thermostat temperature and use fireplace when applicable.
- Keep windows by thermostat tightly closed.
- Don’t place lamps or TV sets near thermostats.
- Keep radiators clean and free of furniture/clutter.
- Keep daytime lights low or off.
- Dust light fixtures and bulbs.
- Don’t over-light an area (use task lamps for studying/homework).
- Use outdoor clothesline or indoor drying rack to dry clothes.
- Use natural ventilation.
- Do not buy halogen lamps.
- Replace conventional incandescent bulbs.
- Compact fluorescent bulbs.
- Frosted bulbs.
- Reflector bulbs.
- “Energy Miser” or “Supersaver” incandescent bulbs.
- Computers:
- Set computer for sleep mode.
- Turn off monitor when not in use.
- If buying a new computer, buy a laptop.
- Set printer for power-saving mode, or turn off in between prints.
- When using an automobile:
- Try to always carpool.
- Keep inside of automobile free of clutter; reducing auto weight can save 25% of energy used.
- Install the most efficient tires available or radials.
- Eliminate unnecessary trips.
- Drive at a steady pace.
- Minimize braking.
- Don’t let the motor idle for more than a minute.
- Don’t overfill the tank.
- If buying a new car, buy an efficient one.
- Use windows/vents instead of air conditioning.
- Tint the windows.
- Keep your car properly tuned.
- Keep engine filters clean.
- Use the gasoline octane and oil grade recommended for your car.
- Check tire pressure regularly.
- Use high quality multi-grade oil.
- Wash your car at home.
- Do not have air conditioner “serviced” unless you know it is broken.
- Use a repair shop that use CFC recycling equipment.