By By Samantha Moll, News Staff

For the third straight year, the Husky Energy Action Team’s (HEAT) is asking students to ‘Do It In the Dark.’
HEAT kicked off its third annual ‘Do It In the Dark’ energy saving competition between residence halls March 14, said Dan Abrams, director of public relations and marketing for HEAT.
‘The purpose of the competition is to raise awareness about energy usage,’ Abrams said. ‘We use so much energy on a daily basis. We want to give people tips to reduce energy consumption and their carbon footprint.’
During the three-week long competition, the Facilities department tracks the energy savings of each residence hall, and the results are posted on HEAT’s website each week, Abrams said. Students can help reduce their residence hall’s energy consumption by turning off lights, unplugging appliances and taking shorter showers, among other things, he said.
Last year, HEAT awarded the students who lived in the winning residence hall with free massages. This year, the winners will receive free massages and be entered into a raffle for a chance to win MP3 players, bike rentals and more, Abrams said.
Alison Bubly, a freshman business major, said she hoped her residence hall, Stetson East, would win because she wanted a massage. She said she is fairly eco-friendly and always recycles when she is able to, but does not know of many ways to conserve energy.
‘I turn off the lights when I leave, but I can’t think of any other ways to save energy,’ Bubly said.
HEAT has been providing students with several energy-saving tips printed on magnets, posters, glow-in-the-dark condoms and other promotional materials, Abrams said.
‘One of the best ways to save energy is to turn off the lights when you’re not using them,’ Abrams said. ‘Use task lighting ‘- only turn on a light in the room you are in, and turn it off after you leave.’
Abrams said he recommends unplugging appliances like televisions, stereos, microwaves and phone chargers when they are not in use, because they use energy even when they are off.
Reducing hot water consumption also helps reduce energy usage, Abrams said. Students should take shorter showers and wash their clothes in cold water. Washing clothes in hot water does not get them any cleaner and actually ruins them faster, he said. In the residence halls, students should select the ‘Bright Colors’ dial on the washing machines for cold water.
Even students who do not live in residence halls can benefit from the energy-saving tips, Abrams said.
Students living off campus can also attend any of the events hosted by HEAT during Do It In the Dark, including a series of movie screenings about climate change.
Last night, Bill Nye the Science Guy spoke to students about climate change in Blackman Auditorium.
HEAT is also screening a series of movies on climate change throughout Do It In the Dark, Abrams said.
‘A Delicate Balance,’ a film about how the environment affects health and nutrition, will be screened this Thursday in room 20 West Village F at 7 p.m. ‘The Greening of Southie,’ about building a revolutionary Green Building in Southie, will be screened Monday, March 30 at 7 p.m. in 10 Behrakis Health Sciences Center, according to HEAT’s website.