4 ways to save money and conserve energy
Winter is coming, and now is a great time to prepare for the cold weather. Conserving energy in our living spaces not only helps reduce carbon emissions but can also save you money. Whether you live on or off campus, here are a few tips to save money and energy this winter.
Keep your space warm
As the temperatures cool down, we may want to turn our thermostats and space heaters up. To help keep your living space warm and energy use low, make sure furniture, rugs and clothing are not blocking air ducts and heat vents.
If you live on campus, ask your RA or check the heating and cooling webpage to learn about the heating system in your residence hall (each hall is different). Depending on your hall, you may need to keep your windows closed during the winter months to avoid overloading the heating system. If you notice any heating issues in your room, be sure to submit a Fix-It request.
If you live off campus, now is a great time to learn how your heating system works. Electric baseboard heat and forced air furnaces are the most common types of space heating in Boulder, but other systems are out there. Consider taking some maintenance steps, such as changing furnace filters and cleaning off radiators.
Adjust your thermostat
Save energy and money on utilities by lowering your thermostat when you aren’t home. If you live off campus, an easy way to do this is with a programmable thermostat. If you don’t have one already, ask your property manager or consider investing in one. They can often pay for themselves in energy savings.
Avoid setting the temperature lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit over the winter so your pipes don’t freeze.
Air-dry your clothes
Electric clothes dryers use a lot of energy, affecting the environment and your wallet. Fortunately, we live in a dry climate where clothes can air-dry quickly—even indoors in cooler weather. Save your quarters and consider hanging your clothes to dry.
You could try a retractable clothesline, or put clothes on hangers on your shower rod. This will save you money, and your clothes will last longer.
Turn off lights, shut down electronics
Simple actions, such as turning off the lights when you leave the room and unplugging devices not in use or that are fully charged, can add up when it comes to saving money and energy. An easy way to cut down on your power use is by using a smart power strip.
Take the next step
Learn more about how you can conserve energy in your living space and earn PIPs with these free resources.
- Who it’s for: Anyone living in the residence halls, Bear Creek Apartments and Graduate & Family Housing.
- How it works: Sign up online, and a sustainability liaison will contact you to set up a 20–30 minute meeting. They will review everything you’re already doing to live green and give you some additional tips to reduce your carbon footprint.
- What you’ll get: You’ll get a swag bag with things like bamboo utensils, a bike light, a reusable shopping bag and more. You can also earn 900 PIPs through the PIPs Rewards app.
- Who it’s for: Anyone living off campus.
- How it works:Sign up online, and a home visit will be set up with trained CU student technicians. They will visit your home and install energy- and money-saving upgrades such as LED light bulbs, weather-stripping, window film and water-smart showerheads free of charge.
- What you’ll get: If over half of your roommates are present during the ECO-Visit, you will receive a free pizza from Cosmo’s. You can also earn up to 1,000 PIPs through the PIPs Rewards app.