Winter for many students at UW-Madison does not always bring to mind such fond, childlike activities like sledding and building snowmen. Rather, students see the energy bills piling up in their own version of snowballs.
According to Ruth Miller, community services manager for Madison Gas and Electric Co., the average customer in the Madison area uses less natural gas in comparison to the rest of the state. In addition, customers in the Madison area use only 650 kilowatt-hours per month compared to national use, an average of 900 kilowatt-hours. There is more 'green building' going on in the area, but that does not necessarily mean Madisonians are saving the environment, Miller said.
It is difficult for us to try to help our ecosystem when Mother Nature clearly takes no consideration for students' well being by sending below-zero wind chills. Top that off with exams, applications, jobs and extra-curriculars, what student has time to change the world? Regardless, even if they do not have time, or cash, to save a whale, there are many small ways in which students can save energy and money in their daily lives.
Trading spaces
Reorganizing a room can make home look and feel more appealing. In addition, when rearranging the house, move furniture so it does not block radiators or heat vents.
How it works: Having large furniture in front of heat sources prevents the heat from spreading to the rest of the room. This then leads tenants to turn the heat up, spending more money and energy to stay warm.
Save at the Laundromat
Use washing machines that load from the front instead of the top when doing laundry this winter.
How it works: These types of washers use one third less water than those that open from the top. This also means that they use less heat to warm the water and clothing will spin dry faster, saving energy and quarters.
Pitch the parts
Take used computer parts, televisions, cell phones and chargers to the Madison Recycling Center, 2200 Fish Hatchery Rd.
How it works: The recycling center only caters to individuals, not businesses. In addition, twice each year they allow computers to be recycled for free. Call 251-2115 to find out when the Recycling Center offers free dumping.
After the ink
Place used ink cartridges in a university inter-departmental envelope and mail to 'Ink Jet Recycling' and drop in a campus mailbox. Only Hewlett Packard and Cannon brands are accepted.
How it works: Cartridges are sent to a manufacturing plant where they are refilled and sold for a lower price.
Forget fuzzies
When loading the dryer during laundry, make sure to remove all of the lint from the dryer vent.
How it works: When lint is not taken out of the screen, it slows the hot air flow. It not only takes clothing longer to dry, it also uses more electricity to get the air through.
Pull the plugs
Unplug as many appliances as possible when leaving town for an extended period of time, particularly over winter break. Every appliance counts. If it gets to be too much of a hassle, save time and put all the plugs on a power strip and simply take out one plug instead of many.
How it works: All appliances, even when not in use, draw a small amount of energy. In most apartments it costs an average of $6 per month to keep everything plugged in.
Fill the fridge
Keep the refrigerator full of food, especially large containers with liquid in them.
How it works: When the fridge is full, there is less space for the warm air to get in. Also, foods'especially liquids'act as insulators to keep the cool air in.
Let there be light
Purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs when buying replacements. Many hardware and home d??cor stores have this type of bulb on sale, or offer instant rebates from now until Christmas.
How it works: Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than regular lights and last 10 times as long. This does not only save energy, it can also cut down energy costs.
Common cents
Recycle junk mail
All of the advertisements and useless mail that comes once a day adds up, and can be recycled with other papers.
Mopeds
Sell it. Yes, it may make getting around campus more challenging, but ride a bike. Mopeds and scooters are not very energy efficient and pollute the atmosphere as much as cars. Riding a bike is just as fast, safe and does not pollute.
While sleeping
Turn off the computer. Who would answer their instant messages during REM anyway?
Bundle up
No, do not sit at the desk shivering, but turning down the heat and putting on a sweatshirt saves money and energy.
Shorter showers
Ladies, shaving does not have to be a 20-minute-in-the-shower affair. Try shaving at the sink, it uses less water and dries out skin less.
Lights
Only turn on lights in the room necessary to use, try to avoid leaving them on all day.
Sources
-Ruth Miller, community services manager, Madison Gas and Electric Co.
-Rick Rose, director of public works, city of Madison.
-Doug Reindl, UW-Madison professor and College of Engineering academic programs director.
-Madison Recycling Center website
-UW-Madison Recycling and Waste Disposal Services
