Students can save 2 percent on their heating costs for every degree they set their thermostat back. Using a microwave to cook food uses one-third the amount of energy a conventional oven would use. Students can learn about these, and other energy saving tips, at 7 tonight during the Oread Neighborhood Association meeting at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Laura Lutz, Westar account manager in consumer services, will provide information about ways to cut energy use, such as exposing south-facing windows to the sun to help heat a room. Lutz said she would also discuss inexpensive ways to maximize energy efficiency, such as buying power surge protectors.

“We’ll be talking about ways that people can use energy more wisely, like buying compact fluorescent lightbulbs and the benefits of heat pumps,” Lutz said. “Really, just any little changes people can make around their home.”

Juliana Tran, Dallas senior and president of Environs, an organization dedicated to promoting environmental awareness, said every bulb in her house was a compact fluorescent bulb.

“Now it’s getting more popular because people are realizing they come with economic benefits, as well as help the environment,” Tran said.

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs, which last an average of five to 10 years, could affect anyone’s energy bill, Lutz said. Last September, Lutz said Westar gave residents of Colwich six compact fluorescent lightbulbs per household as part of a year-long pilot project. In the first three months, the town of 1,271 people reduced its energy consumption by 6 percent, Lutz said.

“If the first three months are any indication we can really reduce energy consumption overall,” Lutz said. “We did the project just to show that by making simple changes, people can actually save energy and money.”

Ryan Callihan, Lenexa senior and Environs vice president, said he reduced phantom power, energy used by electronics that aren’t in use, by turning off lights when he left rooms and unplugging electronics at night. One of the biggest power wasters, Callihan said, was leaving computers on when not in use.

“It’s a common misconception that screen savers save on energy, but they’re just saving the screen,” Callihan said. “Just think about a giant lightbulb running continuously.”

Lutz said the presentation would be geared towards property owners and tenants, especially those in older homes looking to save money on their energy bill.

“I think it’s important that landlords work with their tenants to make sure that utility bills are reasonable and that things are being done to make rental property more energy efficient,” Lutz said.

Callihan said his landlord not only made their duplex more environmentally friendly by weather stripping windows and maximizing air circulation, but also helped them save money. According to Westar’s Web site, weather stripping, sealing cracks in windows and doors to prevent air-leakage, is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to save money on heating and cooling bills.

“It actually really helped our heating bill over the winter,” Callihan said.

— — Edited by Melissa Johnson