10 Ways to Live Green
1. Flip the switch
Turn off appliances and electronics nights and weekends to save
hundreds of dollars annually.
Formula for estimating energy costs
U.S. Dept. of Energy
| Appliances | |
|---|---|
| (Annual energy costs) | |
| Large Bunn-type coffee maker | $34 |
| 12-cup coffee maker | 18 |
| 24 cu. ft refrigerator | 210 |
| 12 cu. ft refrigerator | 22 |
| 3 cu. ft refrigerator | 10 |
| 20-inch box fan (4 mos., 10-hr. day) |
17 |
| Clock radio | 4 |
| Cell phone charger | 3 |
| Electronics | |
|---|---|
| (Annual energy costs) | |
| Personal computer (PC plus monitor) | |
| Monitor, PC always on | $165 |
| Monitor off nights, weekends | 105 |
| Monitor, PC off nights, weekends | 60 |
| Blac & white laser printer | |
| Always on | $123 |
| Off nights, weekends | 38 |
| Color laser printer | |
| Always on | $246 |
| Off nights, weekends | 114 |
| Copier | |
| Always on | $400 |
| Off nights, weekends | 145 |
2. 'Off' better than sleep mode
The "off" switch is superior to your computer's "sleep mode." Turn off the CPU and monitor to save more than $100 annually.
3. Ride the bus
ISU students ride all CyRide routes free. Faculty and staff can
ride three circulator routes through campus free. For other routes,
faculty and staff can buy passes at half the price. (Public
Safety's parking division subsidizes the passes.)
4. When to turn off the lights
Turn off lights if you leave a room for more than 15 minutes. Don't worry about reducing a fluorescent light's life by switching. New lights handle this better.
5. Share the 'fridge
A small dorm-type refrigerator (3 cu. feet) costs $10 annually. A 12 cu. ft. refrigerator is $22 and a 24 cu. ft. refrigerator/freezer is $210.
6. Don't lower the thermostat just for your computer's sake
Most computers today can easily operate in a 78-degree room, if
there's airflow. Overheated computers are usually located in
closets, corners or under desks, where air flow is minimal.
7. Get a flat panel
Flat panel LCD computer monitors use one-fifth of the energy of the old-style CRT monitors.
8. Fume hoods are big spenders
It costs about $6,200 to run a lab fume hood full-time for a year. When a hood isn't in use, the sash should be fully lowered or the hood should be removed from service and clearly marked as unavailable.
9. Bright idea
Make the switch from incandescent lights to compact fluorescent (CF) or LED bulbs. The lights last longer and use less energy.
10. Save with sensors
Install automatic light sensors in rooms not in continuous use. The sensors, which cost about $37 plus installation, will turn lights on only when people enter the room.
