The Government’s ‘Plan B’ has also meant a move towards increased working from home. However, the University’s It’s Better OFF campaign is just as important now as it has ever been.
The significant increase in the cost of utilities and the need for more ventilation has led to increased heating requirements. Combined with both the local and worldwide carbon reduction targets to lessen the impact of climate change, there has never been a time it has been more important to really consider how we are using energy here at the University.
It’s no different during the Christmas closure period either; for the 12 days between 23 December 2020 - 3 January 2020, the University used around £125,000 of electricity, which works out at about £10,000 per day.
Our Facilities Management teams will be working hard to ensure that we can save as much energy as possible during this time, but those who are working on campus (either regularly or occasionally) can have an impact too.
Before you leave the office for your Christmas break, be sure to:
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Shut down your PCs, and unplug any laptops, docking stations and phone chargers
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Switch off monitors (it’s worth checking your colleagues’ monitors and shared computer labs too!)
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Turn off standalone printers and scanners (excluding MFDs – these must remain switched on to prevent them from losing their settings, but they are able to power down on their own)
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Make sure no lights are left on (including Christmas lights!)
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Switch off any heaters, air con units and extractor fans
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Turn off any research equipment that doesn’t need to stay on over the closure period
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Alter any timers on lights and equipment
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Close windows and blinds to maintain temperatures and increase security.
Some of these tips may even prove to be a useful reminder for your home office too. Remember, DO NOT switch off any equipment that is in use for vital experiments, research or local fridges and freezers.
And most importantly, remember to take a break for yourself and switch off from work over the Christmas break. This year has been another challenging year for us all, and for many, the Christmas period will be no exception to this.
For those who will be returning to the work office after the Christmas break, you might find it’s a little cooler than normal, so remember to bring a warm jumper. Last year, the Health and Wellbeing blog shared information on the different types of fabrics that keep you warm and cosy – you can read it here.