With the national economy at its worst, students may begin to feel the pinch – especially those who must pay their own bills.

Although rent won’t fluctuate from month to month, tenants do have control over the amount they spend on utilities.

Andrew Durso, a senior ecology major from Raleigh, N.C., already has taken some steps to lower the amount of energy he uses at home. Durso said he keeps his hot water heater turned down and has only recently begun to turn on his heat.

Though Durso, president of the Go Green Alliance, is energy conscious for environmental reasons, he recognizes that saving energy also saves money.

“The whole ‘Green Revolution’ really only got started when the price of gas rose to $4 a gallon,” Durso said. “[The economic incentive] is really the only thing most people care about.”

Line-dry clothes

“The most significant way and simple way that most people can lower their energy bills is to not use an electric dryer,” said Mitch Chapura, a graduate student of geography.

Chapura said 5 to 10 percent of the average homeowner’s electricity use is for drying clothes. Students who don’t want to hang their laundry on a line can buy a collapsible drying rack and use that instead.

Heating and air

Keep your home’s temperature as close to the outside temperature as you can stand by using less heat and air-conditioning.

“If it’s winter time and you’re wearing a T-shirt and shorts inside, then you probably have the heat on too high,” Chapura said. “And if you’re wearing a sweater inside in the summer, you should

probably turn down the air-conditioning.

Electricity

Even when electronics are switched to the “off” position, they continue to use electricity.

The energy used in this “vampire” current can equal that of a 75- or 100-watt light bulb running continuously.

Students can combat vampire current by unplugging appliances when they aren’t being used, Chapura said.

Use sunlight

Renters should leave blinds open on sunny winter days and closed during the summer when the air-conditioning is turned on.

Planting deciduous trees – trees that lose their leaves seasonally – on the south side of your home will reduce your heating and cooling needs.