Skip redundant pieces
Energy Home

Energy in the Office


We all play a role in making our campus more sustainable by conserving energy in the workplace. You can help by following these recommendations for reducing energy consumption at KU.


Lighting
Computers, Monitors & Printers
Other equipment
Science Labs
Special Considerations for the Heating Season
Special Considerations for the Cooling Season
General Recommendations for the Work Environment


Lighting
  • Natural light should be used whenever possible; avoid turning on overhead lights when they are not needed.
  • Consider using task lighting (desk lamps) when possible, reducing the need for overhead lighting in the room.
  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs where possible, including floor and desk lamps.
  • If you are going to be away more than 5 minutes, turn your lights off, even if they are fluorescent. The startup cost of fluorescent lighting is minimal compared to leaving the lights on for 5 minutes or longer.
  • When rooms or buildings are unoccupied, lights not needed for safety and security purposes should be turned off.


Computers, Monitors & Printers
  • The power management (PM) features of computers and monitors should be activated so that when a computer is left unused, the machine powers down and “goes to sleep.”
  • Computers and monitors should be turned off if employees are going to be away from their desks, as computers and monitors continue to draw some power even when in the sleep mode. Computers that are not accessed remotely should be turned off at the end of the business day and on weekends.
  • If you manage a computer lab, turn on only the PCs that are being used.
  • Turn server monitors off when not in use.
  • Purchase EPA Energy Star certified equipment when available.
  • Do not print out copies of email or other documents unless necessary.
  • Use duplex printing and copying when available.


Other equipment
  • Copiers that do not automatically turn off after a period of inactivity should be turned off at night and during the weekend.
  • Turn off all unused electrical appliances such as printers, copiers, coffee makers, window air conditioners, space heaters and fans when not in use. When possible, plug electronics into a power strip that can be turned off at night to avoid phantom loads.
  • Maintain refrigerators and freezers in optimal working order by keeping coils clean and doors properly sealed.


Science Labs
  • Keep fume hood sashes closed when not in use, and placed at half-sash position while in use. Fume hoods draw room air through the cabinet and exhaust them through the building's exhaust stack. In almost all laboratories on campus, the room air that is exhausted is replaced by 100% outside air. Lowering the sash (the glass window) when the fume hood is not in use reduces the amount of conditioned air exhausted, and placing the sash above the half-sash position disrupts safety containment.
  • All persons using research equipment that requires water for cooling and other similar purposes should use the minimum amount of water required and should cut off the water supply when the equipment is not in use.
  • Keep doors and windows shut at all times unless entering or exiting. This is a safety measure that helps balance the air system in the laboratory so that safety ventilation devices can function properly, as well as a fire protection measure to isolate or contain fires.


Special Considerations for the Heating Season
The following conservation guidelines are in effect for the heating season:
  • The temperature in occupied rooms should be maintained at 69 degrees.
  • Where possible, Facilities Operations (FO) will utilize the night setback feature of the building automated control system to set room temperature at 55 degrees during periods when facilities are unoccupied (nights, weekends, or other times when buildings are closed). Facilities that require constant or specific temperatures or humidity levels are exempted; the Provost Office evaluates requests for exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
  • In facilities where individual occupants are responsible for controlling temperature settings, thermostats should be set at 69 degrees during the day and should be set back to 55 degrees at the end of each business day and over the weekend.
  • Windows should be firmly closed and locked to prevent air seepage. Doors should be closed when rooms are not in use.
  • FO will provide plastic film to cover single-pane windows or window air conditioner units at no charge to departments. If departmental staff are not able to install the film, FO will provide installation as a billable service.
  • Use of electric space heaters should be minimized.
  • Blinds and curtains should be opened during the day to allow sunlight in for solar heat gain. In the evenings, close blinds, drapes, and curtains to reduce thermal heat loss.
  • Dress appropriately for the season; wear layers of clothing during the winter months.


Special Considerations for the Cooling Season
The following energy conservation guidelines are in effect for the summer (cooling) season:
  • The temperature in occupied rooms should be maintained at 76 degrees.
  • Where possible, Facilities Operations (FO) will utilize the night setback feature of the building automated control system to set room temperature at 85 degrees during periods when facilities are unoccupied (nights, weekends, or other times when buildings are closed). Facilities that require constant or specific temperatures or humidity levels are exempted; the Provost Office evaluates requests for exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
  • In facilities where individual occupants are responsible for controlling temperature settings for central air conditioning units, thermostats should be set at 76 degrees during the day and at 85 degrees at the end of each business day and over the weekend.
  • In spaces cooled by window air conditioning units, thermostats should be set at 76 degrees when the space is occupied. Temperature levels should be raised manually or the unit should be turned off when the space is not in use.
  • Where possible, Facilities Operations (FO) will utilize the night setback feature of the building automated control system to set room temperature at 85 degrees during periods when facilities are unoccupied (nights, weekends, or other times when buildings are closed). Facilities that require constant or specific temperatures or humidity levels are exempted; the Provost Office evaluates requests for exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
  • Outside doors and windows should be kept closed when cooling equipment is in use.
  • Wear appropriate light clothing.
  • Blinds and curtains should be closed at certain times of the day to prevent direct sunlight from entering the space during the cooling season.


General Recommendations for the Work Environment
  • Be aware of the scheduled hours of building operations and plan your work accordingly; do not expect buildings to have fully operational HVAC systems during evenings and weekends when there is minimal occupant use.
  • Wear clothing appropriate to the seasons
  • Keep all doors and windows in conditioned spaces closed whenever possible.
  • Employees should contact Facilities Operations (4-4770) if areas are either too hot or too cool. This is especially important in areas where both heating and cooling systems are used to control the temperature.
  • Water leaks, dripping faucets, and fixtures that do not shut off should be reported to Facilities Operations (4-4770).