Energy-Saving Tips for Colleges and Universities

Lights

  • Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR® fluorescent bulbs.
  • Use windows or skylights for daylight, with ways to control excessive light and/or glare.
  • Turn lights off when you're not around, and let windows provide light where possible.
  • Use LED lamps in exit signs instead of incandescent bulbs.
  • Reduce the use of overhead lighting where possible and use task lighting instead.
  • Replace T12 fixtures with High Performance T8s (HPT8s).
  • Replace mercury vapor lights in gyms and outdoors with metal halide, HPT8 or T5 high-output fluorescents.
  • Install occupancy sensors to shut off lights when rooms are not in use.

Heating & Cooling

  • Make sure doors and windows have tight seals. Keep them closed when running your air conditioning system.
  • Turn off fans when the building is unoccupied.
  • Install ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats and locking covers to prevent tampering.
  • Limit after-school activity locations to as few heating/cooling zones as possible and minimize system use in the rest of the building.
  • Check equipment regularly (burners, coils, air filters, ducts, etc.) for proper operation and maintenance needs.
  • Use ENERGY STAR qualified roofing material with high reflectance.
  • When replacing heating or cooling systems, choose ENERGY STAR equipment.

Equipment

  • Turn off printers, copiers, and coffee makers, etc., at the end of the day, and turn off desk lamps when not in use.
  • Activate "sleep" mode on computers and monitors.