Save campus energy: take charge and power down

April 3, 2011

University Relations

The UAF coal-fired boilers will be off-line for planned maintenance April 1 – May 31. The main turbine will continue to operate on steam from the oil- and natural gas-fired boilers. This eight-week period is expected to cost the campus more than $1 million in purchased electricity. You can make a difference by taking some simple actions to take charge and power down:

• Turn off or unplug printers, scanners and other computer peripherals.

• Turn off all desk lights, lamps and overhead lights and use natural light whenever possible.

• Turn off and unplug shredders, calculators, cell phone chargers and other machines when not in use.

• Turn off lights when you are the last person to leave the room.

• Unplug all unneeded appliances, especially space heaters and small refrigerators.

• Shut down desktop and laptop computers when not in use. Power save and overnight shutdowns can reduce annual energy usage by 85 percent.

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator and find ways to exercise outside.

• Develop energy awareness among the people in your building and explore how you can work together to cut down on energy usage.

• Use laptops whenever possible, as they consume 90% less energy than standard desktop computers.

• Do not use personal coffee makers, space heaters, refrigerators, coffee cup warmers or fans during April 1 – May 31.

• Adjust your clothing layers before adjusting the thermostat.

For more information on energy conservation and sustainability at UAF, visit the Office of Sustainability. For more information about the planned maintenance contact Facilities Services at 474-7000.