March 7, 1994
Cash in on energy savings with 20 percent plan
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The University is rapidly approaching the end of the fiscal year when 20 percent of energy savings for the year will be returned to the participating colleges under the “20 percent plan.” With that in mind, David B. Anderson, coordinator of energy management, Office of the Plant Director, offers some tips that may help increase your savings:
Turn off computers and/or monitors and other equipment when not in use. The Utilities Department is testing a device that automatically turns off monitor power. It is transparent to the computer because it does not require any software. It restores power at the touch of any key, and has user-selectable time delays.
If it proves reliable and saves energy, it will be offered throughout General Fund buildings as an Energy Conservation Measure (ECM), funded by the Utilities Department, so there is no cost to the user.
Lower the sash on fume hoods whenever possible. The installation cost of sash stops (to limit the height a sash can be lifted), to save energy when hoods are open, generally can be covered under an ECM project funded by the Utilities Department.
Turn off lights whenever possible. Occupancy sensors have been successfully used in hallways, offices and rest-rooms to reduce energy use, and again can usually be funded as an ECM.
Re-schedule fan systems by contacting Central Environmental Control (CEC), 763-4013, and identify current use patterns. Current fan schedules may be based on old information if CEC has not received regular updates.
Help identify areas of energy waste, especially those that are chronically too hot in winter or too cold in summer. Many times it is assumed that notification of these problems makes it through the lines of communications between and within departments when they may not.
“If your first attempt at getting the problem corrected fails, don’t give up. There may be a larger problem that can’t be solved without an engineering change. Your Energy Conservation Liason knows how to contact the people who can resolve these problems,” Anderson says.
Even with extreme cold or hot spells it is still possible to save energy and receive a financial reward. Think about ways you can reduce energy consumption and help conserve natural resources, he advises.
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