Energy Education

Student Engagement and Training

Various student organizations and groups on campus actively promote sustainability and energy conservation. These groups work alongside faculty, staff, and local and state leaders in order to improve the surrounding environment. A list of student sustainability organizations may be found here.

The Office of Sustainability leads a student internship program, which is composed of students who promote sustainability on campus. More information can be found here.

Several members of the faculty and students are working in collaboration with the Office of Energy Management on research projects concerning sustainability that may relate to energy used on campus and potential solutions to reduce energy consumption. These research projects are carried out through several departments.

If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments about the university's energy reduction efforts, contact the Office of Energy Management at 540-231-6348.

Energy Saving Tips

1. Turn off lights, TVs, entertainment systems, and computers when you are not in the room. (Use power strips and then turn off the power strip when not in use.)
2. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F.
3. Make sure that all doors and windows are closed when heating or cooling your home.
4. Do not block air vents with drapes or furniture.
5. When doing laundry, adjust the setting to the proper load size.
6. Dishwashers typically use less water than hand washing dishes. Let the dishes air-dry for additional energy savings.
7. Install low-flow showerheads and take short showers instead of baths.
8. Replace appliances, electronics, and light bulbs with Energy Star® products.
9. Avoid running appliances during peak hours (typically 6 a.m.– 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.– 8 p.m.).

Wintertime tips:

1. Turn your thermostat down to 68 degrees when at home and 55 degrees when away.
2. Replace or clean furnace filters as recommended.
3. Seal any leaks using caulk to prevent air from seeping through.

Summertime Tips:

1. Set your thermostat to 76 degrees when home and 85 degrees when away. Use ceiling fans to circulate the cool air.
2. Keeping the fridge full will keep it cooler longer while the door is open.
3. Replace air filters each month for maximum benefit.