Reducing Energy Consumption

Ed Poppell, Vice President for Finance and Administration

As each of you are aware, our nation is facing an energy challenge caused by Hurricane Katrina. The University is working closely with state and local officials to monitor the storm’s effect on the University and local community. All state agencies along with the University have been asked to take steps to conserve energy. As such, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to help with this effort through the following actions:

1.   Turn off office lights when leaving at the end of the day, or when an office is unoccupied during the day. Turn off lights in rooms or areas that have only sporadic use such as meeting rooms.

2.   Do not use space heaters. If your area is too cold, please call the PPD Work Management Center at 392-1121.

3.   Turn off computers at the end of the day if possible. Consult with your IT staff for any specific procedures for your system.

4.   Turn off photocopiers at the end of the day. Even an Energy Star labeled photocopier will consume an additional $20 worth of electricity per year if allowed to run continuously.

5.   Turn off other electrical items when leaving for the day. This includes items such as televisions, radios and desk lamps.

6.   If you spot energy waste on campus, please let us know by calling the PPD Work Management Center. This can include items such as parking lot lights that are on during the day, external doors to buildings that don’t close properly, or steam plumes rising from manholes.

7.   Keep your thermostat set at 76 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. Do not prop open doors or windows in air conditioned space.

8.   Please car pool when possible.

9.   Use the RTS bus. Remember, your Gator One Card allows each employee free access to all bus routes.

10.   Limit the use of your department vehicles where possible.

Please share this message with all staff and faculty. Conserving energy is one way we can all assist with hurricane recovery efforts.

Thanks.