Did you know that the average home spends about $2,000 on energy bills every year?! (Energy Star) You may not think about it much now when your electric and water bills are paid by the university, but thinking ahead to when you graduate and venture out into the "real world", here are some eco-friendly options to consider. Changing to appliances that have earned the ENERGY STAR, and you can save $75 a year in energy costs, while doing a little something to benefit the environment(Energy Star).
Clothes Washer:
The average American family washes almost 400 loads of laundry each year. Is your washer over 10 years old? Replace it with a new ENERGY STAR qualified washer and you could save over $145 each year on your utility bills.
Dishwasher:
Replacing a dishwasher manufactured before 1994 with an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher can save you more than $30 a year in utility costs. Because they use less hot water compared to new conventional models, an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher saves about $90 over its lifetime.
Refrigerators & Freezers:
ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use high efficiency compressors, improved insulation, and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms to improve energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR qualified freezer models use at least 10% less energy than required by current federal standards. Qualified freezer models are available in three configurations:
*upright freezers with automatic defrost
*upright freezers with manual defrost
*chest freezers with manual defrost only
Heating & Cooling:
As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system can have a big effect on your utility bills. For some great tips click here.
For more information on Energy Star ratings and the previously mentioned products click here.
Photo Source: http://www.mrhardware.com/defaultarticle.php?cArticlePath=52&osCsid=6106fd3f0b5bddf759cf03354856a0d9
(All facts and figures in this post credited to Energy Star website, see works cited)
Suggestions: Maybe start it out with a statement with a (!) rather than a question, since you used a question in another section too. Also, like Bri suggested- maybe leave out the "save the environment" part/ reword it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think the blurbs on this post are good. Maybe introduce it to the college audience in the intro by saying something about how 'College students may have little control over the appliances that come with their dorm room or apartment, but as you get a job, buy a house, and can make your own decisions about appliances, here are some great things to think about.'