5 Must-Have Energy Efficient Items for College.

To continue in the vein of “Margaret goes to college,” I just found out that this year that I’ll be living in a single - no roommates. This means that I’ll be free from late-night lockouts, long distance relationship drama, and differing sleeping patterns. But perhaps even better than the lack of roommates is the fact that I’ll have complete control over what comes into my room, which means that in addition to avoiding decor clash, I can also outfit my room with the most efficient products available. So, without further ado, here are 5 items every energy-conscious college student should consider for this fall:

1. A smart strip, or two (or three!):

We have a lot of things to plug in: desk lamps, phone chargers, ipod chargers, computer chargers... the list goes on and on. The best way to maintain the use of these energy-sucking monsters are with smart power strips. 7 outlets per strip should do the trick - dispersed throughout your room will make it a breeze to use less energy. Here’s how smart strips work: you plug one device into the “master” outlet (think computer or TV); when you turn that master device off, the smart strip automatically powers down the auxiliary outlets, which might be DVD players, printers, and anything else that's non-functioning without the master. But even regular power strips can help, too: consider their default position “off,” and only turn them on when your laptop’s battery is running low, or when it’s getting dark - change your thinking, change your habits.

2. CFL bulbs (a few):

Remember that desk lamp you just plugged into your fancy new smart-strip? Make sure the bulb is a compact fluorescent light (CFL). This is one of the easiest steps you can take - and CFLs can be found in almost any store supplying light bulbs.

3. An energy-efficient mini-fridge:

The thought of a well-stocked fridge is a tempting one, certainly, but if you choose to have a fridge in your room, it will probably be the most energy-consuming item you bring to school (and, if unlike me, you’ll have a roommate, talk to them before move-in - no need for two). EnergyStar has a good selection of efficient fridges.

4. An energy-efficient printer:

It’s 2:00 am, the library closed at 12, and your paper is due at 8? (It happens...) Sometimes it makes sense to have a printer in your room. If it makes sense for you, make sure to get one that is energy efficient (mine is an Energy Star rated Epson, but there are tons of varieties available). But also consider that your school probably has a printer available for student use - and if the library is open late (or you can avoid late-nights), you may not need one at all.

5. An energy efficient fan:

College tour-guides always seem to point out the dorms that do and do not have air conditioning - a point that I never understood the gravity of until spending August in a dorm room in New York City. Spending time in a building full of sweaty college students with no air circulation is not a fun experience - if your dorm doesn’t have a/c, or you’re prone to being warm, make sure to bring an energy efficient fan to campus.

It seems that these days I can’t get through an hour’s worth of tweets without coming across some sort of Back-to-School shopping list, full of items that I “need” this fall (bed raisers? “microwave accessories”? Nobody actually uses these things.) The most important thing to consider this year is whether or not you’ll actually use the items on your list. Some things, like light bulbs, and at least one smart strip, are pretty universal, but if the girl down your hall has a printer, and you’re okay with trekking to the dining hall, there’s really no need to bring your own printer or fridge - even if it is efficient.