Volume 124 Issue 139
kansan.com
Friday, April 20, 2012
CAMPUS & TOWN
Saving money and the planet
Learn tips for reducing energy bill costs while becoming more environmentally friendly //ALLISON BOND
Amy Thompson, a sophomore from Shawnee, is proud to consider herself a hippie. A resident at the Ecumenical Campus Ministries (ECM) building, Thompson, as well as other residents, strive to live an environmentally conscious lifestyle, doing things like using eco-friendly soap, buying second hand furniture and clothes, having a compost pile and reducing meat consumption. "Ever since I can remember it's been something really important to me," Thompson says. "There was a fire under my ass
since I was a little kid: I'm not sure where it came from." While being environmentally conscious can help the planet, it can also help save money. While, you don't have to have the enthusiasm of a hippie, with gas prices rising to a predicted $4 this summer, everyone is looking to cut spending in some areas. One way can be through reducing energy bill costs around the home.
It all starts with the thermostat. "The highest amount of energy used in the U.S. is for heating and cooling spaces," says
Stacey Swearingen White, associate director of environmental studies at KU. Producing energy requires fossil fuel. Burning of fossil fuels releases pollutants, which cause air and water pollution. Fossil fuels also contain greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Using a programmable thermostat to control heating and cooling is the best way to save money and energy, Swearingen White says. However, if that is not an option, remembering to turn the thermostat down when you leave and turning it back up a few degrees when getting back home saves more energy than leaving it at a higher constant temperature.
Buying energy efficient light bulbs can also be effective. Although more expensive, fluorescent light bulbs use one-fourth the energy and last 10 times longer than regular
Another option for saving energy is powering off appliances and lights. "It used to be thought that you need to leave a computer running because it took more energy to power back up." Swearingen White says. "With new computers, though, it's thought that if you're going to be away for more than half an hour to turn it off." Turning off lights can have the same effect. Swearingen White suggests turning off lights if away from a room for longer than two to three minutes.
incandescent light bulbs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Swearingen White offers the tip to replace apartment light bulbs with fluorescents, and then remember to take the light bulbs with you when you move out to continue using them.
rmainy, tending a place to live that is closer to daily activities allows you to walk or bicycle instead of driving to help cut costs and fossil fuel pollution. Other ways the ECM saves money is by carpooling together, recycling, using the washer and dryer sparingly and not showering as often. "It seems like a lot but small changes over time are easy to make," Thompson says. Another unique way the residents try to save money is by dumpstering, a process where the residents find packaged food like bell peppers, bottled water, grapes and canned goods from dumpsters. "It's definitely the most unique thing our community does to save money, energy and resources," Thompson says.
Slowly implementing one or more of these lifestyle changes can help save money as well as help the environment. While you don't have to get dreadlocks or stop wearing shoes, you may find yourself becoming an earth-loving hippie too.
WESTAR ENERGY COMPANY OFFERS ITS OWN SUMMER ENERGY SAVING TIPS:
- Keep thermostat settings at 78 degrees or higher. Raise the temperature at night. Install a programmable thermostat.
- Move air with ceiling fans or use natural ventilation whenever possible.
- During hot, humid times, seal up the house and air-condition around the clock.
- Close vents to unoccupied rooms
- Run the bathroom exhaust fan while showering to reduce humidity.
- Be sure the clothes dryer is sealed and vented to the outside.
- Have air-conditioners or heat pumps serviced. Change filters once a month or when needed.
- Minimize heat in the kitchen by grilling outdoors and using the microwave instead of the oven or stove.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TRAVIS YOUNG
compromising the integrity of the icing. Students were invited to try the techniques themselves before chocolate and vanilla cupcakes were passed around.
The event was part of a recent series of cooking demonstrations hosted by Student Union Activities' culinary committee. A demonstration earlier this month featured Janna Traver, executive chef for KU Dining, who prepared Peruvian food.
Patrick Blanchard, a sophomore from Wamego and the committee's coordinator, said that the demonstrations aim to teach students useful techniques while introducing them to foods that might not already be in their culinary wheelhouse.
"We try to bring people and representatives from restaurants that display skills students would be able to take home some of the
Blanchard said that his personal favorite was the Sushi with Gusto demonstration even though it wasn't hands on. Attendees watched chefs prepare veggie, California and tuna rolls, which were then passed around the room.
Although Wednesday's demonstration was the last of the semester, Blanchard said that he hopes to see next semester's coordinator continuing the presentations.
But once she gave it a try, she felt like she could recreate the techniques in her own kitchen.
of the experts, as was Bea Tretbar, a freshman from Wichita. Tretbar said that she was initially intimidated by Yi and Munoz's decorating skills.
"When they iceed that cake, I've never seen somebody do that so fast and so well." Tretbar said.
Edited by Taylor Lewis
Jennifer Yi, a baker at Billy Vanilly, puts the final touches on a six-inch cake with Amber Munoz's assistance during a demonstration at Impromptu in the Kansas Union Wednesday afternoon.
TYLER BIERWIRTH/KANSAN
ersity
wear ACT s aren't as
the Buddy ring about to leave said Katie Overland they got the need to make
d suggesram in the
and how will be in what we're change it" he said.
CLASSIFIEDS 11
CROSSWORD 4
to use the students safe n friends," ophomore they could bus system Wednesday me such a odents." grant will System to improve the
Anna Allen
CRYPTOQUIPS 4
OPINION 5
SPORTS 12
SUDOKU 4
Don't forget
Today's Weather
Check out Panda Circus at Tunes at Noon on the Union Plaza sponsored by Student Union Activities and Kicker.
II contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
Breezy. North winds between 10 to 15 mph. Skies look to be mostly sunny
☆
It's easy being breezy
。
(    )