Everyone at VU asked to conserve energy during heat wave

Posted by casteen on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 in Energy, News.

Temperatures are predicted to hit 100° F this week and to remain in the high 90s throughout the rest of August.   As one of the largest energy consumers in Middle Tennessee, please help us to make reductions now in our energy use patterns that we can sustain all year round.    We in VU Plant Operations and VUMC Facility Services ask for your help and cooperation as we step up efforts to conserve.

Here is what you can do to help:

• Moderate thermostats settings to 76-78° F.  Remember to adjust thermostats in classrooms unoccupied during the summer.  Adjust it more radically when you leave for the day or weekend.  Dress for the hot weather so you can remain comfortable in more moderate temperatures.
• Close window shades or blinds during the hottest part of the day to keep heat out and cool air in.
• Turn off lights in your work space when you leave, even if only for a short period of time.  It will save energy if you are gone for more than 30 seconds.
• Turn off lights to common areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, break rooms, classrooms, and conference rooms when you leave and especially before leaving for the day.  Many of these spaces sit empty the majority of the day.
• Turn off office equipment.  If allowed in your area, computers, printers, copiers and scanners can be turned off when you leave for the day (or at the end of your work shift if they will not be used again for several hours).  Otherwise, activate sleep modes and energy-saving settings.  If you are not sure how to do this, please visit www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu for instructions.
• Close fume hood sashes when not in use.  If you work in a laboratory space with chemical fume hoods, please close sashes on hoods that are not being used if at all possible.  A single fume hood running 24 hours can use as much energy as a single-family home uses in a year.

If your office or area seems unusually cold or hot or you have trouble regulating the temperature, please call VU Plant Operations at 4-9675 or VUMC Plant Services at 2-2041 to let them know.  If you would like more ideas to conserve energy, visit Vanderbilt’s ThinkOne energy conservation website at www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainability/thinkone .  Your willingness to help with this important matter is appreciated.

Thank you,

Ken Browning
Mark Petty

Tags: Conservation, Energy, Heat Wave