Energy-saving tips for students
Wash your clothes at 30ºC 🆒
If you’re in a hurry to clean a single piece of clothing before a night out, resist the temptation to toss it in the washing machine. Washing your clothes at a low temperature can save energy and preserve quality.
Although you may have heard about separating whites and colours, washing at 30ºC and using a colour catcher sheet can help prevent dye bleeding. You can also wash whites separately if you have enough for a full load. With modern detergents, lower temperatures can be just as effective.
However, don’t run a half load. Wait until you have enough laundry or wash with your flatmates. Also, avoid using a tumble dryer as it can be expensive and shrink your clothes. An electric airer can dry your clothes just as well and costs on average around 4p to run compared to 35p to a tumble dryer.
Take shorter showers 🚿
Are you someone who loves to take long, hot showers? Well, you might want to think twice before breaking out into song, because, as it turns out, showers can be a lot more expensive than you might think.
According to the ‘Save the Student’ guide on energy costs, showers happen to be one of the most expensive things in your home. Just imagine, a single person taking a 10-minute shower every day could add over £15 to your monthly energy bill. And if you’re living with a house of four, that number could skyrocket to £60 just from showers alone.
Now, don’t panic just yet because there’s some good news. Experts say that you should only be showering for about five minutes, or a little longer if you’re washing your hair. By following this advice, you could save a significant amount of money on your energy bill.
So, the next time you step into the shower, remember that every minute counts. And don’t forget that figures will vary depending on whether or not you have an electric shower and how hot you like your water.
Switch your appliances off standby 🔌
Moving into a new home as a student means bringing all your tech gear along for the ride – from your trusty laptop to your entertainment-packed TV. If you share the space with roommates, they’ll likely have just as much technology to contribute. And that means a whole lot of gadgets vying for power under one roof.
But here’s a pro tip: just because your devices need to be charged up doesn’t mean they need to be permanently plugged in. In fact, by unplugging them when you’re not using them or when they’re fully charged, you could save up to £30 a year on your energy bill, according to The Energy Saving Trust.
And if you’re living in a larger student household with even more devices to power up, your potential savings could be even greater. So why not give it a try? Your wallet – and the environment – will thank you.
Get in touch 📧
So that’s it for energy-saving tips this week. If you’ve got a technique or a story to share about saving energy/money, comment or email us at sustainability@marjon.ac.uk. #saveplanetsaveenergy
Post authored by:
Oscar Lindsay-Turner
Sustainability Ambassador
Plymouth Marjon University
