Kent State University’s Office of Sustainability reminds faculty, staff and building curators to shut down all appliances and electronics before leaving for winter break to help the university conserve energy.
Before leaving campus for winter break, everyone is encouraged to turn off and unplug appliances and electronics, such as computers, speakers, printers, monitors, coffee pots, microwaves, toasters, refrigerators, space heaters and power strips, whenever possible. Most electronics still draw energy whenever they are plugged in, even if they are turned off.
Everyone should close and lock windows and shut blinds and drapes. Students are encouraged to set the thermostat to 68 degrees. Also, maintenance requests need to be submitted for items that need repairing.
Finally, make sure that all lights are turned off before leaving.
University Facilities Management will contribute to the energy conservation effort by setting back some building systems.
These efforts can reduce costs of heating, ventilation, lighting and plug loads on campus during the winter break schedule.
During the 2014 winter break, the university saved nearly $50,000 in energy costs over nine days, and the carbon dioxide emissions reduction equaled the energy use of 49 homes for one year.
For questions about the energy-saving winter shutdown, contact Melanie Knowles, Kent State’s sustainability manager, at mknowle1@kent.edu or 330-672-8039.