The small things that college students can do to reduce the impact they make on the environment are often overlooked. Recycling, paying attention to energy use, and turning off appliances when away are all simple ways to make a difference.
“I definitely have some bad habits,” said sophomore Pono Kam. “I take really long showers and I’m usually so busy that I forget to turn off the lights.”
While the hectic schedule of a college student easily takes priority over the condition of an apartment or rental, the extra reach to turn off a light switch or toss a can into the recycling bin could be worth the effort.
In the heat of summer, the benefits of an air conditioner are obvious. This common household item, however, is capable of emitting 1,500 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually. The average refrigerator and freezer utilize more electricity than any other household appliance, and a 10-minute shower can waste up to 50 gallons of water.
Small steps can lessen the damage, however. Efforts to improve the environment are visible nationwide. Families are building their homes to use rainwater as a main water source and solar panels for electricity. Even if college students aren’t building new homes, a little awareness is not only good for the environment, it can reduce monthly bills as well.
Running constantly at 67 degrees, an air conditioner makes a substantial contribution to dirty air, acid rain and global warming. Set the AC in the upper 70s, and keep ceiling fans going throughout the day. Keeping the temperature setting higher leaves the AC with a lighter workload and the fans are capable of lowering the temperature by four degrees.
The City of Eugene’s Energy Management team also recommends people “make sure that there is no heat-producing equipment near a thermostat. Copiers, computer monitors, coffee pots, printers and the like can fool your thermostat. This is likely to make occupants uncomfortable and waste energy.”
Other appliances that eat up electricity are the refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, washer and dryer. Like the air conditioner, these appliances use the most energy when used in the heat of the day, so these machines should be used in the morning and evening, when the house is coolest.
In addition to the time of day, the way these appliances are used makes a difference. Keep the refrigerator and freezer as far from heat sources as possible, and open the door only slightly to prevent cold air from escaping. Run the dishwasher only when full, and allow dishes to air dry rather than with heat. This will save a substantial amount of electricity.
It is also possible to use the washer and dryer in an environmentally friendly way. Washing full loads and using cold water can reduce the use of electricity by 90 percent. Using a high-speed spin cycle will extract moisture and thus reduce the amount of time clothes take to dry. When drying clothes, attempt to do multiple, consecutive loads. This will utilize residual heat from each previous load and save power.
Students can also make eco-friendly purchases. Rather than incandescent light bulbs, purchase compact fluorescent ones. They use 70 percent less energy and last five times longer.
There are also showerheads and faucet appliances that make a difference. A low flow showerhead has the same water pressure, but saves up to 30 gallons of water per shower. Aerators can be attached to faucets and perform the same effect as low flow showerheads.
Another of the easiest ways to make your home environmentally friendly is to recycle. Cardboard, plastic, and aluminum can all be recycled.
Find out more about recycling at the City of Eugene Web site: www.eugene-or.gov.
For further details on these tips and more, check out ecomall.com.