As we are now in Late Registration for Session 1 & Extended Session Summer School classes (sign up now if you are still planning to join us this summer!), we thought it would be a great time for a fun summer post. Enjoy!

5 Ways to Save Energy this Summer

The warmer months mean a lot of added (sometimes hidden) expenses. It’s nice out, so we’ve all got excuses to be out of the house and not looking at our energy consumption and spending! That’s why we compiled this quick list of five tips for saving during this summer season:

1. Cook Your Meals Outdoors.

Ovens and dishwashers create unwanted heat in the house, so break out the grill and do more outdoor cooking while it’s nice out or make cold dishes. Not only do you give your wallet a break you get to sneak in some of the late day sunshine while it lasts with friends. If you have to cook indoors a quick tip is to wait until later on in the day or at night to run your oven or dishwasher. Check out some excellent recipes here.

2. Turn Off That AC.

Cooling the house when no one’s around can be a huge waste, so take the time to shut off the air conditioning when it’s not needed. Go a step further and program your air to turn on when you wake up and off when it starts to get cool at night. Even using a ceiling or portable fan instead of A/C can save you big time during the hotter season.

3. Power Down Your Equipment.

By controlling your entertainment equipment to power down when not in use you actively control when you’re spending on electricity. Most people don’t think about turning off their cable box or DVR at night, but you’ll find that it’s one of the biggest energy hogs in your home! Turning office equipment such as desktops, monitors and printers to ‘sleep mode’ when not in use can help cut energy costs by more than 50%.

4. Improve Your Gas Mileage

By obeying the speed limit and avoiding hard brakes you can stretch your gas tank in small ways. Another  tip to help get more from the pump is to reduce car weight by removing items in the trunk or by removing exterior roof racks or bike carriers when not in use. Taking public transportation when available, especially in a city like Boston, can save you when it comes time to fill up that gas-guzzler.

5. Learn New Skills 

This tip is more about economizing your time, which can often be your greatest personal energy crisis. By registering for summer courses you can expand your horizons and earn college credits this summer. Whether you’re looking for core credits towards your undergraduate degree or are fulfilling and elective course, you’ll find that Brandeis has the curriculum you’re looking for. With a wide variety courses offered, featuring smaller class sizes and a locally accessible campus, Brandeis University is a smart choice when it comes to getting a lot more for your dollar this season.

We’d love to hear your tips: how do you plan on saving this summer? Let us know in the comments below!