Individual students, faculty and staff members play an important role in reducing energy consumption at the University of Minnesota.  At the University of Minnesota, simple energy conservation measures can save millions of dollars in energy costs annually which helps protect jobs and impacts student tuition.

But energy conservation does more than just save money and jobs. It reduces environmental and social costs as well.  Energy conservation mitigates the numerous adverse environmental and social impacts associated with energy production and consumption. These include air pollution, acid rain and global warming, oil spills and water pollution, loss of wilderness areas, construction of new power plants, foreign energy dependence and the risk of international conflict over energy supplies.

Many actions taken at the University of Minnesota to save energy are invisible to occupants of facilities. Examples of such actions are efficient operation of the central power plants, installation of high-efficiency lights and motors, installation of digital control systems on heating and ventilating equipment, and the quick repair of malfunctioning equipment. For more information on current Energy Conservation projects visit (www.facm.umn.edu/energy.html).

What You Can Do to Conserve Energy at the U!

The individual role in energy conservation features small adjustments in personal behavior especially in lighting and equipment utilization, computer use, and fume hood operation. We - and the environment - continue to need your help.

Here’s how YOU, can be part of the community committed to conserving energy at the U:
Turn it off, leave it off!

• Turn off the lights! in classrooms, offices or restrooms when the rooms are not being occupied.
• In offices with dual-level light controls, use only half of the lights when possible.
• When leaving for lunch or an appointment, turn off computer, lights and any other small appliances in individual offices.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Use natural day light, instead of electrical lighting, when you can.
• Look for opportunities to reduce lighting levels in areas that seem to be over lighted.  Contact FM for assistance if you feel the light levels in an area are too high.
• Turn off PCs, monitors, printers, copiers, and lights every night and every weekend. If you cannot turn off the whole computer, turn off the monitor and the printer.
• Wait until you are ready to use your PC or other equipment before you turn it on each morning. Use your computer’s energy saving features to automatically turn off monitors, drives, and place the CPU in sleep mode when the computer is inactive for a period of time.
• Use flat-screen LCD monitors rather than CRT monitors. They use less energy.
• Turn on local printers only when you are ready to print. Printers consume energy even while idle.
• Do not print out copies of e-mail or other documents unless necessary.
• Purchase equipment with the "Energy Star" logo.
• Implement paper reducing strategies such as double sided printing as a default.
• Use e-mail instead of sending memos and faxing documents.
• Use shared LAN laser printers instead of individual laser printers.
• Use central departmental coffee makers and refrigerators instead of personal units.
• Eliminate personal energy consuming items such as fish tanks, decorative lighting, etc.
• Do not use electrical space heaters. Electrical space heaters are prohibited in University facilities. They can overload circuits; they are a fire hazard; and they are "energy hogs" (one electric space heater uses as much electricity as 45 fluorescent light fixtures).

• Use blinds to reduce solar heat gains.
• Make sure all heating and air conditioning systems under your control are turned off every night and every weekend.
• Dress appropriately for the seasons and the comfort level of your work area. Keep a sweater in your office instead of adjusting the thermostat.
• If you use a building after-hours or on weekends, do not expect the heating/cooling systems to be in full operation.
• Keep doors closed in air conditioned and heated areas.
• Use automatic door switches for handicap use only.
• Avoid using elevators; take the stairs.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
• Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.

• Research laboratory buildings use at least twice as much energy as an office or classroom building. Although much of this energy usage is needed to maintain health and safety, it is still possible for occupants to reduce energy use in these facilities:
• Lower the vertical sash and/or close the horizontal sliding sashes when not working in fume hoods. Depending on the type of hood and exhaust system this can reduce the energy use associated with operating the fume hood by 50% or more. Closing the fume hood sashes also provides for a safer lab environment.
• If you have a fume hood in your lab that is no longer in use, contact FM.
• When possible, share refrigerator and freezer space rather than add new equipment.  A typical -800C freezer consumes as much electricity in a year as typical house.  Also, refrigerators and freezers use less energy when full.
• Service your refrigerators and freezers.  Dirty condenser coils can significantly increase energy consumption and shorten the life of this equipment.
• Turn off all equipment when not in use.
• Keep the hallway door shut. This is not only a safety measure; it helps balance the building air system.
• When using automatic glassware washers, wait until you have a full load before running.

Summary and Thank You!

Reducing energy consumption should be a concern to all members of the University of Minnesota community. As an educational and research institution serving a worldwide clientele, we should set an example of conscientious and cost-effective use of non-renewable energy resources. Moreover, the reduction of energy costs enhances the University's ability to compete for research funding and to contain tuition costs.

A significant percentage of the University of Minnesota’s energy consumption is under discretionary control of building occupants. We hope that this tip sheet has been helpful in explaining the role that energy conservation plays at the University of Minnesota and how students, faculty, and staff can assist with our energy conservation efforts. The simple suggestions in this sheet may not seem significant by themselves but, with everyone's participation, they can make a big difference.

Please contact Facilities Management with any questions you may have, 612-624-2900.

THANK YOU!

For information on the University of Minnesota's Sustainability program, visit:

www.uservices.umn.edu/sustainableU/