Electricity prices in Europe have surged almost 300% in 2022 due to their dependence on fossil fuels. As we use up nonrenewable resources, prices will continue to increase.
Given the current global energy crisis and to save energy for this winter, the FUS Green Office calls on all students, faculty and staff to take additional steps to reduce the use of heating, refrigeration, and electricity (including hot water, air conditioning, and electrical equipment).
We ask this in an attempt to lower our consumption, lower our strain on the environment, and to cut costs as a community! Here are some of the best ways to cut energy consumption:
- Close all windows and doors when it is cold to preserve heat. And, alternatively, open them when it is warm. During all weather, daily brief periods (approximately 15 – 20 minutes) of opening windows for ventilation are expected and acceptable.
- Unplug portable electric heaters. The use of space heaters is strongly discouraged!
- Unplug any home devices not in use, including fans, extension cords, boilers, microwaves, TVs, radios, lamps, etc. This is especially important to avoid ‘vampire energy loss’ from devices that still use energy on standby or even when not turned on.
- Unplug chargers, such as phone, toothbrush, tablet, speaker and other portable tool chargers from the wall when you’re not using them.
- Wear appropriate clothing for the weather: lightweight clothing in summer and warmer clothes in winter. Wear layers so you can adapt to varying temperature conditions rather than heating or cooling your space. As it starts to get colder, use jackets, blankets and hot water bottles to stay as warm as possible.
- Turn off IT equipment, such as computers, copiers, printers, screens, projectors, and other IT or lab equipment when not in use.
- Reduce the brightness setting on your computers, monitors and tv screens to 50%.
- Turn off lights (even small bedroom or kitchen lights) when not in use and take advantage of natural daylight whenever possible.
- Use energy efficient lightbulbs in your lamps.
- Do full loads of laundry whenever possible. Washing a few clothes at a time requires you to do laundry more often, which uses up a lot of electricity and water. Minimize your use of electric clothes dryers where possible and practical.
Be on the lookout for ways to conserve energy around you. When you are mindful of your energy use, you will be surprised at all the ways that you can make a difference in how much energy we use as a community. Encourage everyone around you to also save energy.