The efficiency of our energy use extends further and deeper than our wallets. Energy can be derived from many sources: coal, oil, wood, water, solar, wind, geothermal, and natural gas. The ways in which we extract and harness these energy sources is important as it affects our economy, social equity and justice, and the natural world.
The following simple actions can save you money and avoid excessive carbon emissions:
FOR BOTH ON- AND OFF-CAMPUS
Purchase and plug in a smart power strip to easily turn off all electronics and appliances with the flip of a switch (Unplugging appliances when not in use eliminate phantom loads, also known as vampire energy).
Swap out incandescent light bulbs with a compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED lights.
Turn off lights in rooms, bathrooms, and common spaces when unoccupied, not in use, and at night.
Before using air-conditioning or turning on the heat, add or remove a layer of clothing and close windows.
Wash your clothes in cold water.
Air dry about 50% or more of your laundry instead of an electric or gas dryer.
Wash FULL loads of dishes and clothes.
Take a 5-minute or less shower. It takes energy to heat up the water!
If you take one minute off your shower, you save 1,024 gallons of water a year!
Join SCU's Campus Recreation in the Hoofprint Challenge, a pledge to offset carbon emissions from club sport travel in the academic year 2012-2013. To reach the goal of depleting 263 tons of carbon within the 2013-2014 school year, faculty, staff, and students commit to waste reduction, water conservation, energy savings, and miscellaneous actions and renew this pledge every quarter.
FOR ON-CAMPUS RESIDENTS AND USERS
Take the stairs if you are able, instead of the elevator, especially if you live in a building with 3 or less floors.
Share appliances like microwaves and fridges with your roommate, neighbor, and community rather than having your own.
Turn off your computer and monitor at the end of the day.
Participate in the annual Residence Energy Challenge. This is essential in further developing a campus culture of sustainability and in moving the University towards climate neutrality by the end of 2015. The Energy Challenge brings awareness to residents' energy consuming habits, engages residents in energy-conserving behaviors, and encourages residents to be engaged in identifying inefficiencies that we can improve.
