Even if you don’t live in a LEED-certified dorm, here are a few ideas to get you (or the college kid you know) off to a green start this school year!
Computers
Buying a new computer? Consider a laptop over a typical desktop computer. Laptops use much less energy—up to 80 percent less, according to Energy Star! Check out our recent list of the most energy-efficient laptops on the market.
And keep an eye out for monitors and printers with the Energy Star logo, too. Just don’t forget to enable your power management features, and try not to fall asleep halfway through a term paper.
Electronics
Since we’re talking electronics, plug your gadgets into power strips to avoid needless energy drain, and remember to flip the switch when you’re leaving for class or finally off to bed. Or you could even spring for one of those clever solar chargers for your gadgets. (Rather than be tethered to an outlet, you could sprawl out in the quad with your solar-powered laptop!) Check out these reviews of some solar chargers out there.
Lights
To illuminate those late-night study sessions, invest in some energy efficient light bulbs, either CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) or LEDs (light-emitting diodes). They use less energy than the standard incandescent bulbs and last longer. Translation? Less time spent changing light bulbs, more time for midnight coffee runs.
Laundry
When laundry day comes around, set your wash temperature to cold and skip the dryer entirely. A whopping 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes in a conventional top-load washer comes from heating the water, says the Department of Energy. And not only will line-drying save you quarters, but it can save energy and help your clothes last longer. Collapsible racks that fit in dorm rooms are great, especially if you have a habit of shrinking your favorite shirts in the wash. If you need to use the drier, be sure to keep the lint trap clean for faster drying. Lastly, wait until you have a full load to do laundry. You could even split laundry duty with a roommate, saving yourself time, money, and energy.
Cooking
Save energy in the kitchen by using a microwave or toaster oven. Compared to a conventional oven, a microwave uses roughly a third of the energy it takes to cook a meal, while a toaster oven uses about half, says Treehugger. Also, try cooking with a group. One larger meal takes less energy to cook than several smaller ones.
Not living in a dorm this year? No fear, many of these tips are equally relevant for apartment renters. For further resources, check out:
Image: prayitno via Flickr
--Rachel Tamigniaux