Heating and Cooling
- Turn down your thermometer if it is too hot and never open windows to cool things down. Open windows are the biggest wood frame energy-waster by far.
- Try to keep your heat on between 65o and 75o during the winter.
- Even if your house has air conditioning, use and electric fan instead whenever possible. It will use much less energy.
Lighting
- Always turn-off the lights when you leave a room.
- Try to stick with the lighting provided by Wesleyan, as it is the most efficient form.
- If you do require additional lamps, use only compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), which use 75% less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer. You can get them free from the Usdan Computer Store.
- Take down decorative lighting (string lights, ect).
In the Kitchen
- Cover pots when cooking or boiling water.
- Do not use an extra refrigerator. Fridges use an extraordinary amount of electricity, and mini-fridges are even less efficient.
- Set fridge on lower settings: very cold settings use more energy and can spoil your food.
Water Usage
- Fact: Hot water comes from your house's internal combustion system, so it takes a lot of energy to produce.
- Turn the water on and off when you are washing your hands or doing dishes. Don't let it run when you are not using it.
- Try taking shorter showers and/or turning the water off when you are washing.
Computers
- Fact: One computer left on 24 hours a day dumps 1,500 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere.
- Shut-down your computer when you are not going to be using it for more than an hour. Contrary to popular belief, shutting-down does not harm your computer - it's actually good for it.
- Do not use a screen-saver. Put your computer on stand-by.
- Use power management features on your computer. Tell it to turn-off your screen after 5 minutes and go on stand-by after 15.
- Laptops are much more efficient than desktops.
Appliances
- Unplug anything with an adapter or charger, such as cell phone chargers, lap top cords, printers and speakers. Pretty much anything other than lights still draws power when off.
- Plug in all of your appliances to a power strip or surge protector. Switch it off when you are not using the appliances.
- Don't leave appliances on standby: turn then off.
Chart: Appliance Energy-Usage and CO2 Emissions Per Day
| Device | Watts/day | CO2 Emissions (lbs./day) |
|---|
| Incandescent bulb | 60 | 2 lbs. |
| CFL bulb | 11 | 0.4 lbs. |
| Halogen light | 300 | 10 lbs. |
| Small TV | 80 - 300 | 2.7 - 10 lbs. |
| Stereo | 55 - 500 | 2 - 17 lbs. |
| Computer | 80 - 360 | 2.7 - 12 lbs. |
| Vacuum | 700 - 2000 | 24 - 68 lbs. |
| Hair Dryer | 800 - 2000 | 27 - 68 lbs. |
| Water Kettle | 300 - 3200 | 10 - 108 lbs. |
| Microwave | 700 - 2100 | 24 - 71 lbs. |
| Washing Machine | 500 - 800 | 10 - 100 lbs. |
| Dryer | 500 - 5700 | 17 - 192 lbs. |
| Dishwasher | 700 - 3000 | 24 - 100 lbs. |
| Electric Heater | 500 - 3000 | 17 - 100 lbs. |
| Air Conditioner | 800 - 5000 | 27 - 168 lbs. |
| Fridge | 200 - 700 | 7 - 24 lbs. |
| Freezer | 300 - 700 | 10 - 24 lbs. |
Ranges show highest and lowest energy usage based on EU appliance wattage and Connecticut EPA emission factor of 1.4 CO2/KWh.
Problems in your House
Report the following inefficiencies to Physical Plant by sending a work order (work_order@wesleyan.edu) or by calling (860)-685-3400
- Windows not closing properly.
- Poor insulation on doors and windows.
- Excessive shower water pressure (install low-flow attachment)
- Problems with heater.
- Incandescent, rather than CFL, light bulbs installed in your house.
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