Front PageHome | Archives | Vol.1, Issue 23 | December 6, 2011

The Great Shutdown of 2011:
Energy Saving Tips for Meredith’s Winter Break

Submitted by Betsy Matthews

Think Green

Last winter, Facilities Services together with our energy manager, Nathan Holder, worked hard to set back our building temperatures as much as possible during the unoccupied break to save energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce utility costs. Last year’s temperature setbacks helped the College to avoid $5,000 in utility expenses and 38 metric tons in carbon emissions (about 0.2% of Meredith’s annual emissions).

 

Tis the season to save once again and this year the Energy Team is calling all faculty, staff and students to help our campus reduce energy use over winter break – to be even more environmentally and economically sustainable.

 

As you say goodbye to your office for winter break, please keep in mind these few energy saving reminders. If we all work together to shut down our campus for the holidays, we can have a big impact!

  • Make sure EVERY electronic in your office is unplugged. That means printers, copiers, monitors, microwaves, radios, hot water heaters, water coolers, coffee makers, etc.
  • Turn off all of your lights.
  • Close your window blinds – blinds act as insulation for the building.
  • We ask you to ‘go the extra mile’ to make this the GREAT Shutdown of 2011 by checking your hall copiers, water filter stations, microwaves, coffee makers and computer labs to make sure that every single electronic device is unplugged. You can turn off your hall water filter station by switching off the red button on the back of the station. Technology Services supports the unplugging of all computers and computer labs on campus. If you are questioning whether an electronic should be unplugged, please email Nathan Holder at nholder@advancedenergy.org.

Facilities Services will be reducing energy usage by adjusting building temperature settings to around 68 degrees from December 17 – January 1 in the following buildings: SMB, Jones Hall, Wainwright Music Bldg, Martin Hall, Brewer (Floors 1-3), Stringfield (Floors 1-3), Vann (Floors 2 & 3), Faircloth (Floors 2 & 3), Heilman (Floors 2 & 3), Poteat (Floors 2 & 3).

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Nathan Holder at nholder@advancedenergy.org. We would especially like to know if last year’s winter temperature setbacks affected you or your office in any way or if you have specific temperature concerns for this winter break.

 

The goal is to avoid $10,000 in utility costs and reduce Meredith’s annual carbon emissions by 1% during winter break – I know we can do it with your help! When we get back in the New Year, the Energy Team will measure our success and let you all know how we did as a campus.

 

We wish you all a joyful holiday season!