Published online on the Utah Statesman website on January 20, 2010.
I always feel a tinge of angst when the utility bill arrives each month. I anticipate my monthly rent, but always seem to forget about the additional $25, $30, sometimes $50 to heat, light, electrify and provide warm water for my dilapidated little house. It can be a bit upsetting at times. Fortunately, I've never had too wasteful of roommates, but everyone has heard stories about that "one" roommate who runs a load of laundry with just a few socks, who never turns their bedroom light off or who takes 45-minute showers.
It seems we're always hearing about ways to reduce energy and save money on our utility bills, but none of them seem too applicable to college students. There's no way I'm replacing my toilet in my apartment for the newest low-flush model, and I'm probably not going to pay to install a programmable thermostat. But that's just me. So what can we poor, helpless, financially cheated college students do to lower our utility bills (without paying for expensive, "energy-efficient" upgrades)? Here's a few simple tips that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, will help you pay less on your utility bills each month:
1. Unplug it or turn it off
When you aren't using things such as your phone charger, toaster, blender or computer, unplug them or turn them off. According to energystar.gov, U.S. households spend $100 per year to power devices while they are simply in a standby mode. Interestingly, it's not quite this simple when it comes to lightbulbs, which leads us to No. 2 ...
2. Turn off incandescent lights when not in use
Incandescent lightbulbs should be turned off whenever they are not in use. Fluorescent lighting should be turned off if not in use for more than 15 minutes. So, if you are leaving the room for 15 minutes or less, it takes more energy to turn fluorescent lights off and then on again when you return.
3. Fix leaks
Although most college students may not be able to repair a leak in a faucet or showerhead, this is something a landlord should be willing and able to fix. Although it isn't much, a leak of one drip per second can cost $1 per month.
4. Be stingy with your hot water
Use less hot water by taking shorter showers (or taking quick showers instead of a bath) and only run the dishwasher or washing machine when it is full. A lot of water is wasted by only running a partially-full dishwasher or load of laundry.
5. Double pane your windows
It's not very attractive, but improve your home or apartment's insulation by installing your own double-pane window. Apply double-sided tape to the window frame inside your apartment and place a sheet of shrink wrap plastic film over the window, pressing it onto the tape. Use a hair dryer to tighten the shrink wrap. My landlord has noticed a significant decrease in our utility bill when he has put plastic over our windows during the winter.
6. Keep things clean
Always clean the lint out of your dryer, clean airways allow clothes to dry faster. Clean air vents and be sure furniture isn't blocking the air flow.
7. Buck up
Buck up a bit and lower your thermostat and turn it off when you aren't going to be home for several hours. If you can't handle sleeping in the cold, consider purchasing an energy-efficient space heater for your room.
Information gathered from www.energy.gov.
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