Easy energy saving tips to start your semester off right

Semester kick-off: laptops working overtime

Even though most of the fall semester can be held at MCI Campus again instead of online, there's no getting around the constant use of computers and other electronic devices. With the following tips, however, you can save some energy even during long study sessions:

• Turn off your devices when you no longer need them or take longer breaks.
• Not only devices in standby consume energy. Even charging cables and switched off devices still draw power when plugged in. Therefore, unplug any devices after use, or purchase a power strip with a switch.
• Reduce the screen brightness of your electronic devices.
• A PC consumes a lot of power, better use a laptop.

Saving starts at home

Especially during the colder months, you might prefer spending intensive study sessions or semester breaks at home. Especially in your household, there are countless ways to reduce your daily power consumption:

• If you share your home with others, it’s best to cook together to save electricity and water.
• Use pots and pans that fit exactly on the stovetop to avoid wasting energy. Cooking with a lid saves extra.
• Boil only as much water in the kettle, as you really need.
• If you bake with convection instead of top and bottom heat, you save up to 20% on energy.
• Allow cooked food to cool before putting it in the refrigerator. This way you avoid the refrigerator consuming extra energy for regulating the temperature.
• Wash at low temperatures and iron only what is necessary. If you unplug the iron early, you can still smooth the last couple of clothes with residual heat.
• Avoid artificial lighting during daylight hours and turn off the lights when you leave a room. Switching from light bulbs to energy-saving LED lights can also save up to 20€ per year.

It‘s the little things

When it comes to saving electricity, remember: little effort, big effect. Even if each individual adjustment may seem small, summed up, they will make a significant difference and ultimately pay off for you.