If you’re not using your computer, make sure it’s off or on sleep mode and the screen is black!
Standby power (also known as vampire power), or electric power consumed by products when they are switched off or in standby mode, accounts for between five and ten percent of residential energy use. Simply unplugging your electronics and appliances when not in use can reduce this energy waste. Using a power strip that can switch on and off is a great way to turn off all of your unused electronics with the press of a button.
Make sure that your dishwasher, washing machine, and clothes dryer are full before you run them! Washing dishes by hand or hanging your clothes to dry can also save this energy.
Check out a Watt meter from the Norlin circulation desk to discover how much electricity you can save by unplugging your electronics and appliances when not in use.
Lights
Incandescent lights are the least efficient type of light, as 90% of its energy is given off as heat, while only 10% is used to light your space. If sunlight can light your room naturally, or if you are leaving the room, turn your lights off to reduce energy use.
When possible, change out your incandescent bulbs for LED lights. LEDs use between 25-80% less energy and can last up to 25 times as long as traditional incandescent bulbs.
