make your room eco-friendly

According to the EPA, the average 200 square-foot living quarters in a residence hall can generate as much greenhouse gas pollution as the tailpipe emissions of a car driven more than 2,000 miles! Reduce your environmental impact while on campus by following the tips below.

Reduce Energy Use

Here are tips to reduce energy use in your room

  • Set thermostat to 68 degrees
  • In the winter, let the sun in when possible and don’t leave windows open
  • In summer, keep the blinds/curtains closed
  • Turn off all lights when not in use, unplug electronics or use power strip
  • Reduce the brightness on your TV screen
  • Use modern LED lights, which are 85% more efficient and last much longer
  • Don’t stream movies on your games console; stream movies with apps already on your TV, with a streaming device (like Roku or Apple TV) or buy an HDMI cable
  • Program your computer to go into a low power standby mode not in use
  • When shopping for a new computer, look for an Energy Star Certified one.
  • Always report broken windows, cracks in doorways, or damaged thermostat controls to the university maintenance department 
Reduce Water Use

The U.S. Southwest is an arid region that is prone to droughts. Water conservation measures ensure societal resilience for years to come and it saves energy! Below are several ways to embrace water conservation:

  • Run dishwashers and clothes washers with full loads.
  • Wash clothes in cold water.
  • Purchase a drying rack for your clothes and place it near your room heater, as opposed to using the clothes dryer.
  • Ask your hall director if you can add aerators to your hall sinks; aerators can reduce water flow to 1.5 gpm or less from the standard 2.2 gpm.