Check Your Energy Bill:
Energy bill seems high this month? Check your bill to see the source of the problem. Unplugging electronics like televisions, kitchen appliances and computers while they are not being used may help reduce your energy consumption. You can also use a power strip to plug in all your electronics. By plugging your electronics into a powerstrip, you simply switch off the power strip when you’re not using your electronics instead of unplugging everything.
Turn off the Lights:
Lighting accounts for approximately 15% of household electricity use (US Department of Energy). Changing your light bulbs to CFLs and turning off your lights during daylight hours can significantly reduce this.
Turn Down the Temperature:
We know Geneseo gets cold, but sweaters, blankets and slippers are a great alternative to blasting the heat. The U.S. Department of Energy says that you can save between 5-15% by turning down your thermostat 10-15 degrees over a period of 8 hours (either when you are asleep – or when you are away at classes for the day). Using weather strips and keeping windows closed during the winter also helps prevent drafts from getting into your house and affecting your thermostat. For less than $20 you can buy a kit at the hardware store for covering drafty windows with plastic – you’ll save money in the long run and stay warm!
Evaluate your kitchen appliances:
Refrigerators are one of the biggest energy users in homes and yet they are necessary to sustain our lifestyles. New refrigerators of any size can be purchased with energy star certification. Refrigerators should also be placed away from hot appliances such as stoves and ovens as the heat can be transferred to the refrigerator. This can cause the refrigerator to use more energy in order to keep itself cool. Save energy with your refrigerator by using the smallest refrigerator you possibly can and to leaving hot items out on the table until they have reached room temperature before placing them into the refrigerator.
Check the Water:
Turning down the temperature on your water heater can help reduce energy consumption and heating costs. The U.S. Department of Energy asserts that water heating can account for 14%–25% of the energy consumed in the average home. It is recommended that you keep your water heater turned down to 120F, but check with your landlord before making the change.
Instead of separating laundry into colors, whites, delicates etc., throw them all into one load and use cold water. It’s much simpler and saves you money on your heating and water bill. Instead of using a dryer, try using a clothes line or drying racks. For the past two years, CAS has been switching all their machines to front loader washers and dryers. These have already saved the campus over 2 million gallons of water since fall 2007.
Recycle:
Geneseo recycles most plastics, metals, glass, and paper goods. For a full list of what can be recycled on campus, click here.
Sometimes landlords don’t provide recycling. If you would like to recycle, you can talk to your landlord about contacting Waste Management to add the service. If you live in an apartment complex, you can create one recycling collection site as Waste Management charges per pick-up location.
The town of Geneseo also has a recycling center which you can use all year (from January to December) for the price of $15.00. For more information on pricing and opening times call (585) 991-5000.
Reuse:
Reusable containers are an easy way to cut down on your trash and recycling. Plastic water bottles can take 1000 years to decompose in a landfill, so by using reusable water bottles, you can help divert this waste from ending up in a landfill. Using a reusable mug will not only cut down on waste but also save you some money at coffee shops on and off campus.
Through “Geneseo Gives Back”, the College diverts an estimated 15 tons of material from landfills at the end of every academic year by collecting furniture, small appliances and other hard goods left by students. The materials are donated to local charities to help others in need, including clothing donations to St. Pauly Textiles to aid worldwide disaster relief. Annual disposal cost savings: $12,000. Promote reusing by donating and buying your clothes from local thrift & consignment shops (check out Alley Cat & Frugal Fashonista on Main St, and Goodwill coming in Nov 2010 to 20A).