Turn out, turn off and power down – the lights, your equipment and computers, that is, when you leave a room and they're not in use.
These are just a few things you can do as part of Union's U-Save Energy Campaign 2006, which kicks into high gear as energy costs continue to soar.
“Skyrocketing energy costs affect all of us. Union is no exception,” says Loren Rucinski, Facilities Services director. And while the College has little influence on what it is charged for heating oil, natural gas and electricity, it can impact how much energy is actually consumed.
Union has done much to enhance energy efficiency across campus, and it continues to identify ways to make the campus as “energy-smart” as possible. However, such efforts require thorough expert analysis, planning and, ultimately, considerable financial investment. Unfortunately, there is no immediate, low-cost solution.
“However, working together, the College community can help reduce our energy costs,” Rucinski says.
In fact, the formula is simple: lower usage = lower costs.
Consider:
A May 2004 study revealed that there were more than 3,600 college- and student-owned computers on campus. At the time, the estimated annual savings by turning off or “powering down” each computer for 14 hours each day was $112,000. Factoring in the increased cost of electricity, that savings estimate is now close to $190,000.
At an outside temperature of 32 degrees, for every degree we turn down the temperature in buildings heated by the College's main heat plant, we save $184 per day.
The average electric space heater consumes 1.5 kw of electricity. With more than 300 space heaters on campus, the cost can reach $675 per day.
This is where “U” come in. Together we can keep costs down and awareness up. A few tips:
• Turn out lights when you're the last to leave an office, restroom or conference room. The exceptions, of course, are exterior fixtures that provide light for security purposes. Don't assume someone else will flick the switch.
• Turn off audio equipment, appliances and TVs when you leave a room.
• Power down computers that are not in use. Recharging laptop batteries consumes lots of energy!
• Dress appropriately for slightly cooler interior temperatures. Numerous facility-controlled campus thermostats have been dropped a degree or two. Dressing accordingly is more cost-effective than plugging in a space heater. For those who have control of the thermostats for their area, make sure the settings don't exceed 68 degrees.
• Close an open window when you see it. Need help doing it safely? Contact Facilities at Fixx@union.edu.
• Volunteer to take charge in your office or department, on your floor or in your Minerva, theme house, fraternity or sorority to make sure everyone is doing their best to follow these tips.
• Share your energy-saving ideas by emailing Facilities at Fixx@union.edu.
Remember, it's up to all of us to conserve our increasingly scarce natural resources. Far more important than what we can save in dollar terms at Union is what we can do to preserve and protect our global environment for generations to come. The phrase “think globally, act locally” has never been more relevant or urgent. We must act now.