7 Back-To School Energy Tips & Resources

Guest Blog Courtesy of Tucson Electric Power

In the spirit of children and young adults returning to school, we’ve gathered several tips and resources to help you reduce energy usage and save money.

• 1. Turn up the thermostat. With your children back in school, consider raising your thermostat a few degrees during the day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends thermostat settings of 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter, but individual preferences may vary.

• 2. Consider an ENERGY STAR refrigerator and computer products. It may come as a shock to some college students, but your refrigerator — even a compact fridge — is a power-hungry appliance. If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator, consider one with an ENERGY STAR rating to reduce your energy usage. If you have an old, inefficient fridge (between 10 and 30 cubic feet in size), recycle it with us and receive free removal and a $30 rebate. In comparison to other products, ENERGY STAR computers, scanners and printers also use less energy. Watch the helpful video above to learn more about ENERGY STAR products.

3. Use games to educate. Playing can be a powerful learning tool. While your child is getting back into the groove of being in school, use these games to teach him or her about energy conservation and safety

4. Switch to CFLs in your dorm room, apartment or house. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, which provide $1 worth of conventional lighting for just 27 cents, are available at a steep discount from local retailers through our energy-efficient lighting program. Those who replace an incandescent bulb with a CFL can save up to $65 in electricity during the bulb’s lifetime

5. Change filters regularly. Replacing air conditioner and heating system filters monthly maximizes energy efficiency and lowers costs. College students, landlords often will do this for free or give you a supply of filters because it increases the useful life of the units.

6. Teach your child how to conserve energy using our helpful resources. Parents, you play a critical role in helping your child learn to use energy safely and responsibly. These resources give you the tools you need to achieve this important goal.

7. We all need to power down sometimes. College students, you can conserve energy and reduce energy costs by turning off appliances when they’re not in use. Unplug devices that draw standby power and use a smart strip to control external devices such as printers and scanners.