5 Tips To Save Energy On Campus Over Winter Holiday

While you’re enjoying a well-deserved break, NC State will dial back temperatures in unoccupied campus buildings in order to save energy. This Holiday Energy Savings Initiative has avoided millions in energy costs over the past decade, and you can help make those savings climb even higher. Here are five ways to save:

  1. Save and secure. Shut exterior windows and doors to boost security and energy efficiency.
  2. Hit the switch. Turn off overhead and task lighting before leaving your office, residence hall or lab.
  3. Pull the plug. Turn off nonessential electronics such as coffee makers, toasters, radios, fans, printers, scanners and other small appliances. Consider also powering down your computer and unplugging desk-side devices or chargers.
  4. Clear the fridge. If you don’t want to return to a smelly break room refrigerator in January, consider cleaning before you leave for winter holiday. Empty refrigerators can be defrosted and left unplugged for energy savings (be sure to leave the door open).
  5. Shut the sash. Lab users should close all fume hood sashes and power down non-essential lab equipment. Because labs use more energy than any other type of campus building, small efforts here can make a big difference in energy costs.

The Holiday Energy Saving Initiative begins Wednesday, December 19, 2018, and concludes Sunday, January 6, 2019. Throughout this period, varying levels of energy-saving activity will be in effect based upon building types and occupancy: