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Engineering a Better Future: Energy Conservation Tips
Celebrate Earth Day by reading through the following tips from Engineering faculty, staff and students. Try to implement even one of these tips into your life and make a positive impact on the future of our planet.
Jonathan Asmis (Eng Sci) Current Eng Soc President
"If you really want to be efficient, you could power your house with a Sterling engine and solar panels! Or, if you're slightly less hardcore, you should think about using cold water in your washing machine. Did you know that 90% of the energy used to wash your clothes is for heating the water?"
Professor Dionne Aleman, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
"Don't turn on the lights in your office unless you really need that extra illumination. It is usually bright enough during the day that simply opening the window blinds is enough to light up most offices, especially if you are only using your computer."
Gloria Bryan, Operations Officer
"If the option is available in the Galbraith Lounge, use the hot water in coffee maker or water cooler for tea and hot chocolate instead of boiling water in the kettle for only one cup, and if you are the last person to leave the Lounge, turn off the lights.”
Leslie Grife, First-Year Counsellor, Office of the Registrar
"I would love to encourage people to turn off their monitor even when leaving their desk - even for a few minutes. According to Toronto Hydro, the monitor alone accounts for 60% of the total energy used while a computer is on. Another tip would be to turn power bars off at the end of the day. All electronics still use electricity, even when they are turned 'off'."
Karen Irving, Information Services Assistant, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
"I never leave lights on unnecessarily at home and at work, and I never run the dishwasher unless it is full. Needless to say I have lots of dishes."
Alaina Lagrou, (Mech 0T8) EngSoc Past President
"At home, I like to ensure that I keep all of my light fixtures very dust-free in order to prevent me from having to use multiple lights to obtain the light level I need for studying."
Neil Neebar, Departmental Counsellor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
"Last year my wife and I moved into our own house and we needed to reduce the energy costs. Here is our top 10 list of things that we have done in our house to conserve energy:
- Hang clothes out to dry, even inside the house.
- Install low-wattage bulbs, both inside and outside the house.
- Use a programmable thermostat to reduce heating and cooling energy at night and when we're not at home.
- Use light dimmers and timers.
- Turn down the temperature on the water heater.
- Take showers, not baths to conserve water.
- Install low flow aerators in kitchen and bathroom.
- Insulate water heater and hot water pipes.
- Pay attention to the ways we use energy around our house."
Ian Stewart (Eng Sci 0T8)
"I always use my backpack when i go grocery shopping. I'd definitely recommend other students try it out, since it saves plastic bags and it is easier on your hands if you have to walk a long way back to your apartment."
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