A BRIGHT IDEA by Carolyn Tharp
NOTICE
ALL PHOTOS JARED GAB
With energy bills on the rise and gas up to nearly $3 a gallon, students are feeling the pinch in their wallets. These tips will save you from sweltering summer spending.
UNPLUG YOUR APPLIANCES
Unplugging your phone charger when you're not recharging your cell can go a long way. Appliances use energy, even when they're not turned on, says Sharon Ashworth, environmental studies lecturer. There's still a little electricity connected because that appliance is ready to go, she says.
NIX THE DRYER
Want to get that true "fresh breeze" smell in your laundry? After washing your clothes, skip the electric dryer. It uses energy to both operate and to heat your clothes. Instead, hang your clothes outside to air dry."I hang mine outside as long as it's not freezing,"says Marshall Hilton, St. Louis senior. He uses a clothesline to reduce energy consumption.
INSULATE YOUR WINDOWS
Put plastic sheeting over your windows save Rod Ernst, owner of Ernst and Sons Hardware, B26 Massachusetts St. This will trap cool air in your home, keeping you from cranking up your air conditioner. Found at any hardware store, insulation is also good for keeping warm in the winter.
CLOSE YOUR BLINDS
It sounds simple, but closing your mini-blinds or curtains not only keeps out the Peeping Toms but also Mr. Golden Sun. During hot summer days, keeping out the extra rays can keep a home cool, Ernst says.
USE YOUR NOGGIN
Saving energy is simple if you just think about what you're doing. Next time you crank the thermostat down to 60, decide if it's really necessary, or if you could handle it at 72. You'll still be cool and use less energy, keeping your wallet intact for Friday night spending. Consider the environmental impacts of what you do. Ashworth says. Thinking about your actions will usually lead you to think of ways to alter what you do and adapt to using less energy, she says.
USE YOUR DISHWASHER SPARINGLY
Only run your dishwasher when it's full. Most of the energy to operate the appliance is used to heat the water, so running it less often with more dishes in it will save water and energy, according to the U.S.Department of Energy.
Let your dishes air-dry.Turn off your dishwasher for the dry cycle and prop the door open.This saves the energy it takes to create heat.
HECK, FORGET THE CAR
Find an alternative to driving. Students have healthy, able bodies that can easily bike or walk, Ashworth says. People are shortsighted in that they don't see gas as a big use of our energy, she says. And if you are driving in the summer, don't drive during the middle of the day when it's hotest. The heat traps more pollutants, which can cause ozone alerts, she says.
OR AT LEAST TUNE UP YOUR CAR
The best way to cut gas costs is to drive less, says Tom Collina, executive director of 20/20 Vision, a non-profit organization dedicated to global initiatives. Making sure your tires are filled and in good condition can help too, he says. Driving with fully inflated tires gets you better mileage. Using fuel-efficient motor oil also can cut gas costs, Collina says. These produce fewer emissions, keeping your car clean. Making sure your car is getting the best mileage per gallon is key."What kind of car you buy, what kind of oil you use and how often you drive makes a big difference," Collina says.
USE FLOURESCENT BULBS
Replace your regular incandescent bulbs with screw-in fluorescent ones. They draw less current and last longer than the old incandescents, Ernst says. Compact fluorescent bulbs last about 10,000 hours, or 10 times as long as incandescent bulbs according to the Federal Trade Commission. With that kind of lifetime, you might not have to change them for more than a year. They light up your home just the same, but only use a quarter of the energy that your regular pear-shaped bulb uses, according to the FTC. Sold anywhere from hardware stores to Target, these bulbs cost about $9 for a two-pack." They cost more initially, but over a period of their life spans, they can save you money," Ernst says.
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
When you're leaving a room or the house, flip that switch off."It's very simple and very easy, but people just don't do it," Ashworth says. Not only will this lower your energy bills, but it will keep your home cooler. Only about 10-15 percent of incandescent bulbs' electricity goes to lighting your home — most is turned into heat, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. So keep cool and turn those bulbs off.
05.11.2006 JAYPLAY
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