FAQs
What is ENERGY STAR?
How can I make my computer more energy efficient?
Where can I buy energy-efficient products?
Whom should I contact to report leaky faucets, dripping showers, and other maintenance problems?
My room is too hot. How can I make it cooler?
Does the University get a utility bill?
What is the University doing to conserve energy?
Why are compact fluorescent lightbulbs better than incandescent lightbulbs?
How can I get involved?
What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a government program that promotes the use of energy-efficient products and educates the public about the best ways to save energy.
Penn State has been an ENERGY STAR partner since 2001.
- Learn more at the ENERGY STAR Web site.
How can I make my computer more energy efficient?
Turn off your screen savers and set your computer monitor so it automatically goes to sleep after 10-15 minutes of inactivity.
- Find out how to put your computer monitor to sleep.
Where can I buy energy-efficient products?
Visit the ENERGY STAR Web site to locate a store that sells ENERGY STAR-qualified products. These products meet rigorous energy-efficiency guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Whom should I contact to report leaky faucets, dripping showers, and other maintenance problems?
Contact your area Housing Office at the e-mail address listed below.
East Halls: easthousing@psu.edu
West Halls: westhousing@psu.edu
North Halls: northhousing@psu.edu
Pollock Halls: pollockhousing@psu.edu
South Halls: southhousing@psu.edu
Eastview Terrace, Nittany Apartments, and Nittany Hall: univaptshousing@psu.edu
My room is too hot. How can I make it cooler?
Turn off your radiator by turning the dial to “off.” (If you have a white radiator, the dial is located inside the opening at the bottom of the radiator.)
If your radiator is off and your room is still too hot, contact your resident assistant (RA). He or she can ask Housing to adjust the temperature.
Does the University get a utility bill?
Yes. The University purchases electricity, natural gas, coal, fuel oil, and propane as energy utilities. The total utility bill for University Park averages over $2 million per month.
What is the University doing to conserve energy?
The University has taken many steps to conserve energy, including:
- changing out shower heads and faucets so they use less water while still maintaining strong water pressure;
- replacing lighting sources on campus with new, more energy-efficient technologies;
- installing clothes washers and refrigerator/freezer/microwave units that use less energy.
- Find out more about the University’s energy-conservation initiatives.
Why are compact fluorescent lightbulbs better than incandescent lightbulbs?
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) use a lot less energy than incandescent bulbs because they do not convert as much energy into heat. (Only about 10 percent of the energy used by an incandescent bulb creates light; the rest is given off as heat.) This means that CFLs cause less pollution.
ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs use 66 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
How can I get involved?
The most important thing you can do is conserve energy. You can also:
- join a student environmental group;
- donate unwanted items to the Trash to Treasure program;
- join Penn State’s environmental task force (contact Paul Ruskin in the Office of Physical Plant to sign up);
- volunteer for the watershed cleanup held during spring semester (contact Paul Ruskin for more information).
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