GreenCampus @ Longwood University

Switch to Time of Use Program with your local utility. This would require running your dishwasher, pool pump, and clothes washer and dryer later in the evening to help shave peak demand.
Shade sun-exposed windows and walls. Sunlight streaming through windows can substantially increase your air-conditioning costs. Use shading methods (like sun screens, awnings, and trees) wherever possible.
Increase attic insulation to R-30. Insulation helps keep heat out in the summer and the cold out in the winter.
Replace air filters regularly. Replacing a dirty air filter can save money by reducing the amount of time your air conditioner or furnace stays on.
Seal heating and cooling ductwork. Duct leakage can be substantial--as much as 20% to 30%. Use water based mastic only.
Replace your most frequently used incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFL). CFLs use only about a third as much electricity as standard light bulbs. Fluorescent lamps are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last 6 to 10 times longer. Although fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they pay for themselves by saving energy over their lifetime. Incandescent lamps are the most common lighting source in U.S., but they waste the most energy. Ninety percent of the energy consumed by incandescent lamps is given off as heat rather than visible light. Incandescent bulbs last for about 750 hours, CFLs last for about 10,000 hours. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are the most efficient light bulbs available today. CFLs are about 75 percent cooler.
Install a low-flow shower head. Low-flow shower heads will reduce the amount of hot water you use and the energy needed to heat it.
Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer.
Fireplace inserts convert your fireplace to a woodstove. When properly installed they are about as efficient as a free standing woodstove.
Replace old appliances with more efficient models. Replacing an old dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine, or furnace -- with a new, energy-efficient model can really save energy and money. Look for the Energy Star label.
Seal exterior cracks and holes, and ensure tight-fitting windows. Small cracks or holes in the building exterior can really add up to substantial heating or cooling losses.
Replace outdoor lighting with a motion-detector equipped bulb or fixture.
Outdoor lights that are left on all night add to your power bill.
Perform low-cost fireplace modifications. Adding a flue-top damper or glass doors can save energy when the fireplace is not in use.
Install programmable thermostats. These devices will change the temperature setting when you are not home.
Install automatic room-lighting controls. Similar to programmable thermostats, these devices help optimize lighting use by automatically turning lights on or off, depending on occupancy or time of day.
Appliances account for about 20% of your household’s energy consumption, with refrigerators and clothes dryers at the top of the consumption list.
When you're shopping for appliances, you can think of two price tags. The first one covers the purchase price,think of it as a down payment. The second price tag is the cost of operating the appliance during its lifetime. You'll be paying on that second price tag every month with your utility bill for the next 10 to 20 years, depending on the appliance. Refrigerators last an average of 20 years; room air conditioners and dishwashers, about 10 years each; washers, about 14 years.
When you do have to shop for a new appliance, look out for the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR® appliances have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DOE as being the most energy-efficient products in their respective classes. They usually exceed minimum federal standards by a substantial amount. The appliance shopping guide lists some of the major appliances that carry the ENERGY STAR® label and provides helpful information.
Be sure your dishwasher is full, but not overloaded.
Let your dishes air dry; if your dishwasher doesn't have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open a little so the dishes will dry faster.
Wash clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents when possible.
Wash and dry full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.
Don't keep refrigerators or freezers too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment and 5°F for the freezer section. Separate freezers should be kept at 0°F.
Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
Run dishwashers just before bedtime and unload the next day to help shave peak demand.
Clean the air filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation or line-dry clothes.
Unplug infrequently used televisions and VCRs.
Despite common belief, a screen saver does not save energy. In fact, more often than not, a screen saver will not only draw power for the monitor but will also keep the computer from shutting down.
Saving power in 20 seconds is a simple step every computer owner can do. Simply activate the ENERGY STAR® saver on your PC.

Steps: (For a Windows® based PC:)
1. Click on My Computer
2. Click on Control Panel
3. Click on Power Management
4. Set monitor turn-off time (15 minutes recommended). This will shut your monitor off after the set time, saving 75 watts of electricity. To reactivate the monitor, move your mouse or hit any key. Your monitor will power back on.
5. Set system standby time (30 minutes recommended). This will put the rest of your system on standby after the set time, saving approximately 80 watts. To reactivate the system, move your mouse or hit any key. Your system will power back on after 15 to 30 seconds. Check to ensure that your computer will not lose network connection in standby mode. If you are unsure, only set the monitor turn off time.
Insulate and seal ducts in attics, crawl spaces, garages and other unheated areas.
Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period.
Buy a new water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard water heater, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than seven years old.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 115°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.
Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household. The average bath requires 15 to 25 gallons of hot water for a bath, but less than 10 gallons during a 5-minute shower.
Design your garden with the changing seasons in mind. Shelter the south side of your home from summer sun with deciduous trees. Evergreens will protect the north side of your home from icy blasts.
Use light color shingles for roofing because light colors reflect heat and dark colors absorb it.
Install an attic fan to push hot air out of the attic. Use a whole-house fan to draw cooler air in through windows and exhaust hot air out roof vents.
Use floor and ceiling fans as much as possible to circulate air to create gentle breezes, keeping your family comfortable.
When possible, cook in your toaster oven, microwave or broiler oven instead of an oven. They use half the energy of a regular oven and help to keep the kitchen cooler. Microwaves use less than half the power of a conventional oven and cook food in about one-fourth the time. Slow cookers are also a great way to cut energy use in cooking.
When using the stove, vent cooking heat outside with a range hood. Keep the oven door tightly closed. Rather than opening the oven door, use the oven light to check on progress when baking or roasting.
Use a programmable thermostat and set the temperature at the level you need it, when you need it. For summer cooling, each degree the thermostat is set above 75° F can save you 3% of the energy used to cool your home.
Flat-panel monitors offer significant energy savings. The new technology that allows computer monitors to take up less space also uses a lot less power -- only 1/3 of the power of conventional monitors.
In common areas like kitchens or file rooms, where people come and go without turning out the lights, use motion sensors to save on energy in between visits.
Choosing the right pan for cooking can actually save energy--small amounts per meal, maybe, but they add up. Remember to use the smallest pan you need for the dish you are making since smaller pans take less energy to heat up. Then put the pan on the burner that fits it best. Make sure the pan covers the burner without going more than an inch beyond it. If the burner is wider than the pan, you are wasting energy. Remember that smaller burners use less electricity.
Opening the windows will not save you gas over using the air conditioner on the highway. In fact, the extra drag on the car from the open windows will make it use more gas.
Clean air conditioning unit filters once per month. This helps the air conditioner run more efficiently and at less cost.
If you are away for part of the day, let the air conditioner run. It costs more to remove the humidity collected during the day than the savings from turning off the unit. However, if you are away for an extended of time, it does pay to turn off the air conditioner.
Use major heat-producing appliances, such as washers and dryers, during the cooler hours of the day to reduce the load on cooling equipment.
Turn off lamps, televisions and other appliances that generate heat except when they are in use. Keeping lamps and televisions away from the thermostat is also good practice because their heat causes a higher reading than the average room temperature.
Use the ''print preview'' option to find errors before printing.
If possible, turn off your computer during the evening and on weekends.
Enable power-saving features on all equipment.
Re-use one-sided office paper. Note: Saving paper saves energy!
Use a fax ''post-it'' instead of a cover sheet.
Utilize the duplex option to save paper and cut supply costs.
Use paper with post-consumer recycled content and recycle all office paper.
Use power strips (they save energy) but turn equipment on and off individually.
Buy office equipment with the ''Energy Star'' label. Energy Star products meet or exceed the environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) energy efficiency criteria.
Turn OFF your monitor when going to lunch or a meeting.

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Energy Conservation Tips Switch to Time of Use Program with your local utility. This would require running your dishwasher, pool pump, and clothes washer and dryer later in the evening to help shave peak demand. Shade sun-exposed windows and walls. Sunlight streaming through windows can substantially increase your air-conditioning costs. Use shading methods (like sun screens, awnings, and trees) wherever possible. Increase attic insulation to R-30. Insulation helps keep heat out in the summer and the cold out in the winter. Replace air filters regularly. Replacing a dirty air filter can save money by reducing the amount of time your air conditioner or furnace stays on. Seal heating and cooling ductwork. Duct leakage can be substantial--as much as 20% to 30%. Use water based mastic only. Replace your most frequently used incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFL). CFLs use only about a third as much electricity as standard light bulbs. Fluorescent lamps are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last 6 to 10 times longer. Although fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they pay for themselves by saving energy over their lifetime. Incandescent lamps are the most common lighting source in U.S., but they waste the most energy. Ninety percent of the energy consumed by incandescent lamps is given off as heat rather than visible light. Incandescent bulbs last for about 750 hours, CFLs last for about 10,000 hours. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are the most efficient light bulbs available today. CFLs are about 75 percent cooler. Install a low-flow shower head. Low-flow shower heads will reduce the amount of hot water you use and the energy needed to heat it. Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer. Fireplace inserts convert your fireplace to a woodstove. When properly installed they are about as efficient as a free standing woodstove. Replace old appliances with more efficient models. Replacing an old dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine, or furnace -- with a new, energy-efficient model can really save energy and money. Look for the Energy Star label. Seal exterior cracks and holes, and ensure tight-fitting windows. Small cracks or holes in the building exterior can really add up to substantial heating or cooling losses. Replace outdoor lighting with a motion-detector equipped bulb or fixture. Outdoor lights that are left on all night add to your power bill. Perform low-cost fireplace modifications. Adding a flue-top damper or glass doors can save energy when the fireplace is not in use. Install programmable thermostats. These devices will change the temperature setting when you are not home. Install automatic room-lighting controls. Similar to programmable thermostats, these devices help optimize lighting use by automatically turning lights on or off, depending on occupancy or time of day. Appliances account for about 20% of your household’s energy consumption, with refrigerators and clothes dryers at the top of the consumption list. When you're shopping for appliances, you can think of two price tags. The first one covers the purchase price,think of it as a down payment. The second price tag is the cost of operating the appliance during its lifetime. You'll be paying on that second price tag every month with your utility bill for the next 10 to 20 years, depending on the appliance. Refrigerators last an average of 20 years; room air conditioners and dishwashers, about 10 years each; washers, about 14 years. When you do have to shop for a new appliance, look out for the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR® appliances have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DOE as being the most energy-efficient products in their respective classes. They usually exceed minimum federal standards by a substantial amount. The appliance shopping guide lists some of the major appliances that carry the ENERGY STAR® label and provides helpful information. Be sure your dishwasher is full, but not overloaded. Let your dishes air dry; if your dishwasher doesn't have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open a little so the dishes will dry faster. Wash clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents when possible. Wash and dry full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting. Don't keep refrigerators or freezers too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment and 5°F for the freezer section. Separate freezers should be kept at 0°F. Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder. Run dishwashers just before bedtime and unload the next day to help shave peak demand. Clean the air filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation or line-dry clothes. Unplug infrequently used televisions and VCRs. Despite common belief, a screen saver does not save energy. In fact, more often than not, a screen saver will not only draw power for the monitor but will also keep the computer from shutting down. Saving power in 20 seconds is a simple step every computer owner can do. Simply activate the ENERGY STAR® saver on your PC. Steps: (For a Windows® based PC:) Click on My Computer Click on Control Panel Click on Power Management Set monitor turn-off time (15 minutes recommended). This will shut your monitor off after the set time, saving 75 watts of electricity. To reactivate the monitor, move your mouse or hit any key. Your monitor will power back on. Set system standby time (30 minutes recommended). This will put the rest of your system on standby after the set time, saving approximately 80 watts. To reactivate the system, move your mouse or hit any key. Your system will power back on after 15 to 30 seconds. Check to ensure that your computer will not lose network connection in standby mode. If you are unsure, only set the monitor turn off time. Insulate and seal ducts in attics, crawl spaces, garages and other unheated areas. Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period. Buy a new water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard water heater, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than seven years old. Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 115°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses. Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household. The average bath requires 15 to 25 gallons of hot water for a bath, but less than 10 gallons during a 5-minute shower. Design your garden with the changing seasons in mind. Shelter the south side of your home from summer sun with deciduous trees. Evergreens will protect the north side of your home from icy blasts. Use light color shingles for roofing because light colors reflect heat and dark colors absorb it. Install an attic fan to push hot air out of the attic. Use a whole-house fan to draw cooler air in through windows and exhaust hot air out roof vents. Use floor and ceiling fans as much as possible to circulate air to create gentle breezes, keeping your family comfortable. When possible, cook in your toaster oven, microwave or broiler oven instead of an oven. They use half the energy of a regular oven and help to keep the kitchen cooler. Microwaves use less than half the power of a conventional oven and cook food in about one-fourth the time. Slow cookers are also a great way to cut energy use in cooking. When using the stove, vent cooking heat outside with a range hood. Keep the oven door tightly closed. Rather than opening the oven door, use the oven light to check on progress when baking or roasting. Use a programmable thermostat and set the temperature at the level you need it, when you need it. For summer cooling, each degree the thermostat is set above 75° F can save you 3% of the energy used to cool your home. Flat-panel monitors offer significant energy savings. The new technology that allows computer monitors to take up less space also uses a lot less power -- only 1/3 of the power of conventional monitors. In common areas like kitchens or file rooms, where people come and go without turning out the lights, use motion sensors to save on energy in between visits. Choosing the right pan for cooking can actually save energy--small amounts per meal, maybe, but they add up. Remember to use the smallest pan you need for the dish you are making since smaller pans take less energy to heat up. Then put the pan on the burner that fits it best. Make sure the pan covers the burner without going more than an inch beyond it. If the burner is wider than the pan, you are wasting energy. Remember that smaller burners use less electricity. Opening the windows will not save you gas over using the air conditioner on the highway. In fact, the extra drag on the car from the open windows will make it use more gas. Clean air conditioning unit filters once per month. This helps the air conditioner run more efficiently and at less cost. If you are away for part of the day, let the air conditioner run. It costs more to remove the humidity collected during the day than the savings from turning off the unit. However, if you are away for an extended of time, it does pay to turn off the air conditioner. Use major heat-producing appliances, such as washers and dryers, during the cooler hours of the day to reduce the load on cooling equipment. Turn off lamps, televisions and other appliances that generate heat except when they are in use. Keeping lamps and televisions away from the thermostat is also good practice because their heat causes a higher reading than the average room temperature. Use the ''print preview'' option to find errors before printing. If possible, turn off your computer during the evening and on weekends. Enable power-saving features on all equipment. Re-use one-sided office paper. Note: Saving paper saves energy! Use a fax ''post-it'' instead of a cover sheet. Utilize the duplex option to save paper and cut supply costs. Use paper with post-consumer recycled content and recycle all office paper. Use power strips (they save energy) but turn equipment on and off individually. Buy office equipment with the ''Energy Star'' label. Energy Star products meet or exceed the environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) energy efficiency criteria. Turn OFF your monitor when going to lunch or a meeting.