While you're at home or on campus, learn how you can conserve energy wherever you go
Reducing energy use can, in turn, save water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote alternative transportation and purchasing strategies, and save money.
It connects all sustainability efforts on campus – whether connecting with your colleagues to carpool, or choosing to purchase recycled materials, these actions can make a tremendous change both on campus and in our community.
Explore this page to learn how you can reduce energy use and support a more sustainable future.
Texas leads the nation in energy consumption across all sectors and is the largest energy-consuming state in the nation.
In 2021, Texas produced about 26% of all US wind-powered electricity generation. Wind power exceeded coal-fired generation for the first time in 2019.
If consumption patterns do not change, the state may experience devastating economic and ecological impacts. Saving natural resources is every Texan's duty.
Texas State Facilities and Energy Conservation Committee oversee changes in the university's energy use.
Current energy reduction programs include efficiency and retrofitting projects, improved reporting, and Energy Conservation Days.
10 tips for reducing your energy use on campus:
1. Turn off computers, lights, and electronics at the end of the day or before leaving on vacation.
2. Unplug small electronics when not in use – they draw "phantom power" even when turned off.
3. Enable power-saving modes on your computers and other electronics.
4. Windows: Open blinds to use natural light when having meetings, and close blinds when not using a space to maintain a comfortable temperature. Keep windows closed in all climate-controlled buildings.
5. Printing: Limit printing to only when necessary. Print your projects double-sided on recycled paper. Replace personal printers with shared equipment connected to a managed print environment.
6. Clean the fridge regularly – this allows for more efficient cooling and keeping the fridge tidy makes it easier to see what's available, and reduces food waste!
7. Talk with your colleagues to start a carpool. Bike or walk when going to meetings or commuting. Or use the Bobcat Shuttle to get across campus.
8. Report resource conservation issues (e.g., doors that do not close, dripping faucets) to building management and Facilities.
9. For giveaways, use evergreen items with branding that can be used for other/future events and that people will use repeatedly.
10. Label and use recycling bins to collect and recycle metal, plastic and paper, batteries, electronics, and surplus materials offered through Facilities.
11. Contact us for trainings and resources about how to make your events, living, and working spaces more energy-efficient and sustainable!
To conserve electricity, set home thermostats to 78 - 80 degrees when using air conditioning. When leaving your home, set your thermostat between 80 - 82 degrees and close all window blinds and curtains to reduce heat transfer into the home.
You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.
For more information, explore these helpful tips from Energy Saver.
For energy and cost savings, unplug all unused appliances like microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, computers, chargers, TV & DVD players, game stations, and other appliances you don't use throughout the day.
When purchasing new appliances look for Energy Star certified products.
Adding insulation to the attic or crawl space and to exterior walls in conjunction with air sealing will help keep a home warm during colder months and help keep a home cool during warmer months. Increasing a home's insulation is one of the fastest and cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste.
For more information regarding sustainable insulation and green home improvements explore these helpful insights from the GreenHome Institute.
As always, be sure to turn off all lights when leaving a room, apartment, office space, and your home.
Incandescent lights should be turned off whenever they are not needed. 90% of the energy they use is given off as heat, and only about 10% results in light. LEDs use a fraction of the energy and produce less heat.
While halogens are more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, they are far less efficient than CFLs and LEDs. It is best to turn these lights off whenever they are not needed.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) provides information on energy usage, reliability and pricing. On days when electric demand is high, ERCOT may issue a Voluntary Conservation Notice, a call for Texans to voluntarily reduce energy usage if safe to do so, to help decrease demand while they work to manage the grid reliably.
Blog dedicated to improving our understanding of climate change in Texas, what it means for water, and what we can do to improve our resiliency.
Texas+Water is a monthly newsletter published by The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment addressing water news, research, and policy.