Campus Environmental Symposium
EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY, WATER AND OTHER RESOURCES SECTION
Provided by: Amy Lake
The University recognizes the importance of conservation efforts and efficient use of
resources as the primary method to be used to reduce resource consumption.
- The University commits to minimizing the consumption of energy, water, and other
resources by eliminating wasteful practices and promoting efficient use.
- The University strives to maximize energy efficiency in existing buildings, renovations,
and new construction.
- The University commits to exploring and implementing well considered and feasible
conservation measures in existing buildings, renovations, and new construction.
- The University will explore the application of developing technologies for energy
systems and use of resources, as well as the potential for use of renewable energy
resources.
What your administrative unit can do
- Encourage members of the unit to identify and report waste such as automatic lights that
do not turn off or lights that cannot be turned off because of switch location, faucets
that leak, heat that cannot be adjusted. Educate your members to know the proper reporting
systems for such issues. Please report issues to the customer service center at 6-2319.
- Dedicate one half hour of training to unit members regarding available conservation
efforts.
- Commit to including lighting sensors to all appropriate space remodels.
- Minimize consumption of energy, water, and other resources by eliminating wasteful
practices and promoting efficient use. Examples include turning off lights when you leave
a room, turning off your computer monitor when you leave your workstation, keep exterior
doors and windows shut when a room is unoccupied, dress for the weather rather than
adjusting thermostats, and shut classroom windows when the class is finished.
- Maximize energy efficiency in existing buildings, renovations, and new construction.
Ideas for saving energy
- By using the Energy Saver feature on your copy machine you can reduce the energy usage
of that copier by 70%.
- Establishing a "turn-off" program for lights computers, printers, copiers,
fume hoods, and so on will result in significant savings. The amount of energy saved by
turning off two computers and monitors at night and on the weekends is 8,100 kWh/yr.,
subsequently reducing utility-generated CO 2 by 15,000 lbs./yr., which is equivalent to
planting two acres of trees or removing one car from the road for a year.
- For three copies or less, use the printer; for more, use the copier.
- Laser printers use 300 watts; inkjets use only 10, for similar quality.
- A computer monitor uses 60 watts of power; turn it off if you are not using it.
- Turn on your printer only when you are using it.
- Recycling paper reduces water use by 60%, energy by 70%, and cuts pollution in half.
- Relax and take mass transit; use 25 times less energy and reduce the stress of looking
for a parking spot.
- Turn off the water faucet when brushing your teeth. This simple act can save 9 gallons
of water every time your brush your teeth.
- Look for daylighting opportunities. Do you need to have all of your office lights on
during a bright day or are you getting enough natural light?