Conservation Week

Furnace Filter Friday

Happy Furnace Filter Friday!  

Your furnace is what keeps you warm in the winter and cold in the summer. The role of the furnace filter is to trap dirt and dust from entering your home. However, if it collects too much, your filter will get clogged and air won’t be able to flow through your house which can lead to several potentially costly problems. Worst case, your furnace could break down completely, but other problems include increased electric bills, poor air quality, and undesirable temperatures in your house. This is why it’s important to regularly check and change your furnace filter! 

If you live off campus, make sure you check your lease to see if changing your furnace filter is your responsibility or your landlords. But even if it is your landlord’s responsibility, a lot of times, they’ll only change it once a year and living in Ohio where there is hot summers and cold winters means your filter should probably be changed more than once every 365 days. There are a lot of recommendations on the internet as to how often you should replace your filter, but an easy rule of thumb is to check it monthly and change it when it’s dirty! Generally, it will collect the most dirt when your furnace is working the hardest which means you might have to change it more frequently in the summer and winter.  

When it comes to actually replacing your furnace filter, make sure you know what size you need to get. Furnace filters come in a variety of sizes, so you don’t want to accidentally purchase one too big or too small. There are also several different types of furnace filters including pleated, fiberglass, and reusable. Each of them has their own pros and cons, so be sure to so your research before purchasing to get one that suits your needs!  

Regularly changing your furnace filter is an easily forgotten, but very important, responsibility for students who live off campus. Staying on top of this task will help you conserve energy, save money, and live more comfortably in your home. 

Stay warm! 

 

Sources: https://globalnews.ca/news/1621011/what-you-need-to-know-about-furnace-filters/ 

https://www.angieslist.com/articles/5-reasons-change-your-furnace-filter.htm 

Meat Choices Matter

As you probably already know, the best option in terms of sustainability is to cut out meat entirely, as this cuts the most water wastage. If this seems impossible for you right now, don’t worry! Start by cutting out some meats that are worse for the environment, and maybe eventually you will be able to transition to a fully vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.  The first step is to educate yourself on water wastage in food production. Here are some easy resources so you can see the impact of your choices: 

This water calculator easily helps you see just how much water is involved in the production of different meat and other food and it should help you make better food choices that are more sustainable.  https://www.watercalculator.org/water-use/water-friendly-food-choices/ 

So now you know a little bit more about water wastage and food, here are some of the practical things you can do: 

  • Cut out beef and lamb- it takes 2,400 gallons of water to produce 1 lb of beef  

https://www.watercalculator.org/water-use/water-footprint-beef-industrial-pasture/ 

  • By contrast,Chicken and Turkey are the most sustainable options- to produce 1 lb of chicken this takes around 468 gallons of water 

And if you are interested in cutting out meat, here are some good meat-free alternatives that should help you in the transition. https://www.peta.org/living/food/meat-replacements/ 

Thirst-Quenching Thursday

When thinking about eating healthy, we often don’t think about beverages as well. MyPlate has made a top ten nutrition guide for making better beverage choices.  

Make Better Beverage Choices 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also created a list of helpful tips if you think you are not getting enough water: 

  • Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work, school or running errands 
  • Freeze some freezer safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long 
  • Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages (helps with weight management) 
  • Choose water when eating out (save money and reduce calories).  
  • Add a wedge of lime or lemon to your water (improve the taste) 

 

Staying hydrated is incredibly important, it helps keep your body healthy and happy.  

For more information about MyPlate, please go to choosemyplate.gov. For more information about the CDC, please go to cdc.gov.  

 

References: 

  • MyPlate and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

Zero Waste Wednesday

Happy Zero Waste Wednesday! 

Complete the Zero Waste Quiz Challenge of Off-Campus and Commuter Student Service’s Instagram for the chance to win a kitchen compost bin and reusable bamboo towels. Reduce, Reuse, Recipe focuses on the Ohio State University becoming more and more sustainable with the future hope of becoming zero waste. There have been many posts on advice and tips on how to reduce your waste. Here is a summary of all the zero waste tips/topics we have covered: 

  • Meal Prep 
    • Meal prepping not only saves you money but also allows you to reduce food waste! 
    • Pack your lunch instead of eating out 
    • Invest in a reusable water bottle 
  • Sustainably Grocery Shop 
    • Use reusable bags 
    • Shop locally when you can 
    • Shop in bulk: Best Food Forward 
    • Buy vegetables and fruit that are in season 
  • Eco-friendly dishwashing 
    • Load up your dishwasher fully 
    • Don’t over rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher 
    • Air dry instead of heat dry 
    • Reduce the number of dishes and utensils you use