Conservation Methods

Current Energy Conservation and Environmental Initiatives

Read about many of the current energy conservation initiatives that are working today at Notre Dame.
The University has a long history of adopting energy conservation strategies to control cost and reduce its environmental impact by being good stewards of our resources:
Current Energy Conservation and Environmental Initiatives

Pending and In Progress Energy Conservation and Environmental Initiatives

Read about some the energy conservation ideas that are being either implemented or considered for the future:
Pending and In Progress Energy Conservation and Environmental Initiatives

Energy Saving Tips

Turn off the lights! One of the most common ways that students, faculty, and staff waste energy is by leaving the lights on when they leave the room. Don't forget to turn off other appliances as well such as: radios, fans, hot pots, curling irons, etc. Leaving appliances on not only wastes energy, it is also a safety risk.
Turn off your computer! Many college students leave their computers running overnight and on weekends. The majority of the time, the computer sits idle and wastes energy. Do not be fooled by screensavers- they do not save power, they are only meant to prevent phosphor "burn-in" on the screen. Turning computers on and off does not harm newer machine models.
Share printers, copiers, and facsimile machines in the office and at home.
In the hot summer months, pull the shades down to make the temperature plunge in your room without the use of fans. If you are in an air-conditioned building, turn the temperature on the thermostat up to save power.

Water Conservation Tips

Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant, or for cleaning around your dorm room.
Get a dripping faucet repaired by maintenance! Inform your R.A., rector, or assistant rector about the problem and they will help you get in contact with the department. Leaking faucets can easily be repaired by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year!
Take shorter showers. It can be a tough thing to get out of your warm shower on a blistering cold Notre Dame morning, but you could save gallons of water by cutting your shower time down a few minutes each day.
If you really want to conserve water- this is the way to shower: Turn the water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn back on to rinse off. Repeat when washing your hair.
Operate the clothes washers only when they are fully loaded. Set the water level for the size of load you are using. If you really need to get your laundry done that day, but don't have a full load, volunteer to wash something for your roommate.
When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Don't let the tap run while you are waiting for cool water to flow.
Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave.
Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don't waste water just because you don't see the bill.

Fuel Saving

Carpool, carpool, carpool! Take turns driving with a group of people to work, to the store, to tutor off-campus, or to weekend events.
Utilize the carpool lists in LaFortune to save to gas money, bus, or train fair going home on breaks.
Use public transportation. Busses pick up at Library Circle and go to Union Square Mall and downtown destinations.
During South Bend 's cold season, wear layers and sweaters or add an extra blanket to your bed so that the heat can be turned down a few degrees.

Conservation Links

ND Green

Conservation International

http://www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/home

The World Conservation Union

http://www.iucn.org/

UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre

http://www.unep-wcmc.org/

U.S. Department of Energy: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/

The Alliance to Save Energy

http://www.ase.org/powersmart/