Help your student follow in your energy-saving footsteps by reviewing these tips with him or her.
- Whenever you leave your room or shared areas, turn off the lights, fan and TV.
- Enable the power management features on your computer and monitor so they power down when not in use.
- Did you know that your battery-powered laptop, cell phone and other electronics might be causing an energy drain even when they’re not plugged in? Remember to unplug their chargers after your devices are ready to go.
- Turn off devices when you’re not using them. Plugging everything into a power strip or surge suppressor strip makes this easier by offering a single shut-off switch – or use an automatic strip that turns things off when it senses that you’re not using them.
- Running full loads of laundry instead of partial loads can save up to 3,400 gallons of water a year and reduce power use. Be sure to wash with cold water and the appropriate detergent for the machines in your laundry room. Newer high-efficiency washers need a detergent specified for use with high-efficiency (“HE”) machines.
- During hot weather, use a fan to supplement your room’s air conditioner.
- Keep windows closed when running the air-conditioning or heater.
