“Today I went out and purchased five compact fluorescent bulbs at Wal-Mart for a total of $8.30 and installed them in the five lamps in my office, thereby reducing the total watts used in those lamps from 390 to 65, a reduction of 83%. Imagine the reduction we could achieve in electricity use all over campus if we all switched from incandescent to increasingly affordable compact fluorescent bulbs!”

Since 1990 the college has been conscientiously converting incandescent bulbs to fluorescent bulbs all across campus. Fluorescent bulbs are now the majority, even in group offices. However when students, faculty or staff bring a lamp on to campus as a personal furnishing, they typically outfit it with an incandescent bulb. We would encourage all people on campus to imitate the example of the above faculty member in the office, the residence hall and at home. Fluorescent bulbs last considerably longer and use significantly less energy.

This week’s Green Tips:

• Use the energy efficient lighting installed by the college.
• When using a personal light on campus, and at home, replace inefficient incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs.
• Of course, flip the switch when leaving the room.