Energy Saving and Environmental in Halls

Here are some great energy-saving tips for living in halls or at home. As well as saving the planet, you'll save some money! 

In your room:

• Switch off lights, televisions and music systems when leaving the room.
• Switch off computers when not in use (or at the least turn off the screen!).
• Unplug appliances when not in use (including phone/ipod chargers).
• Don’t leave appliances on standby.
• In winter, keep curtains open during the day but make sure they are closed at night.
• If your curtains are above a radiator - tuck them behind it when they are closed.
• Put a jumper on rather than turning up the heater in you room.
• For those who use hair dryers, give your hair a rest and let it dry naturally at least part way before blow drying. You'll save money on heat protection treatments as well!

In the kitchen:

• Cover your pans when you cook.
• Boil only the amount of water you need.
• Make sure all food is cooled down before it goes in the fridge or freezer.
• Use the right size pan for the food and cooker ring.
• Cook together to show off those Delia skills and save energy!

In the bathroom:

• If you have the choice, go for a shower not a bath.

Out and about:

• For the social types amongst you, get down the bar, the studious types, get to the library and the sporty types, get to the gym because as long as all your appliances are off in your room, your Hall will benefit from you being elsewhere!
• Watch Neighbours, Hollyoaks and Eastenders together. Five of you watching one tv uses five times less energy than five of you watching five TVs!
• Be social. Get to know your flat mates with tea in the kitchen (just as long as you've switched off the appliances in your room!).

Private accommodation

• If you're living in private accommodation, the information above all applies but there's even more you can do to save energy such as:
• Install energy-saving light bulbs. The average energy-saving light bulb uses 80% less electricity than a conventional bulb and you can get them for around £2.00 in most supermarkets. They will pay for themselves in no time.
• Put on a jumper rather than turning up the thermostat.
• Use the half load or economy buttons on your washing machine, dishwasher or tumble dryer when possible.
• Use public transport, walk or cycle rather than using the car.