Dear AU community,

As part of the university's campus-wide commitment to sustainability, Facilities Management will continue to lead our annual collective effort to reduce energy and water consumption during the holiday break. Last year, the efforts of everyone on campus resulted in substantial energy savings. During the two-week period when the campus closed for the holidays, AU reduced its purchased offsets by 222 metric tons – equivalent to CO2 emissions from 49 cars driven for one year or the electricity consumed by 28 homes in one year. It also resulted in a $79,538 reduction in costs for the university.

For our energy-savings efforts to be as successful – if not more so – this year, let’s all do our part.

As you prepare for the holiday break, we ask for your help in our campus conservation effort by taking the following measures:  

• Ensure that all sinks, showers, or other water faucets are turned off. Domestic hot water temperatures will be set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Toilets that run continuously (flushing without stopping or making a draining noise) waste vast amounts of water – up to 200 gallons of water each day, and sometimes more. Report any issues or leaks to 2FIX (x2439).  
• Switch off all non-critical lighting (critical lighting = life safety, security, etc.).  Turn off room and bathroom lights when you’re ready to leave for break. Switch off any personal lamps. This also will keep the bulbs from burning out when you are away.
• Disconnect all non-critical electrical equipment, appliances, and unnecessary plug loads from receptacles. Be sure to unplug phone chargers, laptop chargers, TVs, and video game consoles, as they consume “vampire energy,” as inactive devices still consume electricity. Using a power strip with an on/off switch is an easy way to ensure all inactive devices are not using power. Note: Refrigerators will remain as found, whether plugged or unplugged (we recommend that you clean, defrost, dry-out, and unplug them). Unauthorized space heaters that are plugged in may be removed.  
• Close all exterior doors, windows, and openings securely. Open windows allow cold air to enter the room, forcing the heating system to run when no one is there. Ensuring there are no paths for air from outside to enter a space is an easy way to maintain HVAC efficiency.  
• Reduce space temperatures to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and as low as 50 degrees, wherever possible. This can be done manually by lowering the local thermostats or other heating/ventilation device controls. Additionally, keep blinds closed, as they will act as insulation and help retain heat.   
• Set fans (e.g., HVAC units in building lobbies and under residence windows) to low-speed modes where possible. Ensure that the HVAC units are not blocked by clothing, towels, bookshelves, etc. Please do not turn these units off.

Please share this information with your staff and direct any questions you may have to 2Fix to ensure that you receive a timely and well-coordinated response.

Facilities Management staff will take the following energy-conserving steps:

• Conduct a building-by-building assessment of the various HVAC and lighting systems, energy-curtailment opportunities, and operational challenges associated with the holiday closing of each facility. 
• Ensure temperature set-points are reduced to a targeted 55 degrees by COB Friday, December 22 in campus buildings and verify room lights are turned off or adjusted. Normal temperature set-points will resume after the first of the year, as we return to campus.

We appreciate the support of AU students, faculty, and staff and look forward to another year of conserving energy.

Thank you, 

David Osborne 
Director of Energy and Engineering