TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY!                        compact flourescent lightbulb

 

Lighting systems represent as much as 30% of an institutional building’s energy use, and 40% of a school’s total energy use. Wasteful lighting systems also increase the need for energy-intensive air-conditioning systems. (Source: ENERGY STAR)

What You Can Do:

  • Turn off unnecessary lighting. Rely on low-wattage task lighting or daylight if possible
  • Did you know that fluorescent lighting only has to be out for two seconds for it to pay for the energy it takes to bring it back on? While frequent turning on and off of light could reduce the actual life of the lamp, the useful life of the lamp may be extended and a great deal of energy and money will be saved. Whenever you are leaving an unoccupied room for more than a couple minutes, turn out the lights.  Use partial lighting in hallways- if you see that the lights are all on in a particular hallway feel free to flip the switch.
  • If every person in America were to replace four 100 Watt incandescent light bulbs with four 23 Watt fluorescent bulbs for three years, we would save the amount of energy that is consumed by some seven million cars in a year. You can help by taking into consideration when purchasing, purchase energy-efficient lighting products and operating them efficiently.
  • Incorporate more day lighting into your offices/classrooms by using natural lighting from windows. Lucky enough to sit near a window? Turn off your local lighting and use natural lighting instead.
  • Try replacing, in your personal spaces, incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use one-fourth the energy and last up to seven times longer.
  • Do not work or study in a classroom by yourself. Work in areas with others to maximize light efficiency.
  • Turn off electrical space heaters when possible. (If you are uncomfortably cool, put on a sweater.)
  • If you feel warm, and your building is air-conditioned, try wearing lighter clothing. Don’t open windows.
  • Use the stairs. Get your blood pumping and save energy at the same time.
  • For each degree you lower your thermostat in winter, it can save about 3 percent on the heating bill. You can help by keeping blinds or curtains open them during the sunny part of a winter day.
  • For every degree you raise the thermostat setting on your air conditioner, your energy use will be reduced by 3 to 5 percent. The recommended energy efficient summer temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. You can help by keeping blinds or curtains drawn during a hot summer day;
  • Use laptop computers if possible. They consume 90% less energy than standard desktop computers.
  • Don’t turn on your computer, monitor, or printer in the morning until you actually need them.
  • Turn off Office equipment that is not in use, such as printers and copiers when possible.
  • Use energy saving settings on computers.
  • Select the right size copier. A mid-volume copier in a low volume office can use up to 70% more energy per page than a low volume machine.

Spread the word! Communicate your ideas for improvement in reducing the electrical load anywhere on campus. Help us find and eliminate wasted energy by reporting leaking faucets, bad thermostats and incandescent lights that could be replaced with fluorescent lights. Send us an e-mail at Bianca.shama@fm.utah.edu for more information please call 801-585-1171

 

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