After reading a great article in Glamour magazine ("The Woman's Guide to Saving the Planet" May, 2007) where it stated that appliances consume 75% of their energy when plugged in, yet NOT in use, I decided to get serious about this!
First of all, just how much energy do appliances consume, anyway? Especially my computer, which is pretty much always on, yet in "sleep" mode.
Here is a chart from the US Government website on energy efficiency and conservation (actually, pretty informative and helpful!).
In doing more research, I came across the Boston University website for greening of their campus (good job! Wish Columbia would follow...) and the same statistic of 75% came up again, so I'm starting to believe it. Some solutions are to keep appliances on a surge protector so you can simply shut it off and turn it on quickly. I've noticed that my electric toothbrush can be unplugged for MONTHS and still work great! Then I charge it overnight, and, presto, it works!
Never mind the fact that I let the water run for far too long when I brush my teeth, but more on that later...
Get out there and enjoy the beautiful May weather...!
p.s. I found a Columbia "environmental stewardship" website (not too user friendly!) and I submitted a comment about installing more recycling at Butler Library...we'll see what they have to say!
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