Energy Guidelines

The University of Kentucky embarked on an intensive and comprehensive energy conservation program in July 2016.  There are several specialists analyzing energy consumption on campus with the intent of optimizing usage to save money and support the university’s sustainability goals.  The Energy Specialists will identify and implement many measures that save energy.  However, the overall success of the program hinges on the support and engagement of the campus community.  Towards that end, the following guidelines provide faculty and staff with the tools to support the program and shift the perspective from energy consumers to energy savers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Faculty and staff members should implement these guidelines while in their classrooms and/or offices.
2. The UK Energy Specialists perform routine audits of all facilities and communicate the audit results to appropriate personnel.

GENERAL

1. Classroom doors should remain closed when HVAC is operating. Ensure doors between conditioned space and non-conditioned space remain closed at all times (i.e. between hallways).
2. The power management of all office machines shall be in accordance with the Information Technology Services guidelines.

LIGHTING

1. All unnecessary lighting in unoccupied areas will be turned off. Faculty and students should make certain that lights are turned off when leaving an empty classroom. Utilize natural lighting where appropriate. “Lights off in unoccupied areas” is the theme to spread around campus.
2. All outside lighting shall be off during daylight hours unless required for a university sponsored event.
3. Refrain from turning lights on unless definitely needed. Remember that lights not only consume electricity, but also give off heat that places an additional load on the air conditioning equipment.

HEATING AND COOLING

1. The following heating and cooling season set points, as found in the Business Procedure Manual, are the standard for setting temperatures in facilities during occupied and unoccupied times. 

¹ Set points are in accordance with ASHRAE 55 “Thermal Conditions for Human Occupancy”

The University of Kentucky embarked on an intensive and comprehensive energy conservation program in July 2016.  There are several specialists analyzing energy consumption on campus with the intent of optimizing usage to save money and support the university’s sustainability goals.  The Energy Specialists will identify and implement many measures that save energy.  However, the overall success of the program hinges on the support and engagement of the campus community.  Towards that end, the following guidelines have been created to provide students in residence halls with the tools to support the program and shift the perspective from energy consumers to energy savers.

1. Lights: Turn off lights when leaving a room for more than a few minutes, and use natural daylighting or task lighting when possible.
2. Chargers: Unplug chargers when they’re not being used, because they continue to consume energy whenever they are plugged in.
3. Showers: Limit your shower time. This saves water as well as large amounts of energy needed to heat it.
4. Laundry: Wash clothes in cold water. When drying, check to see if your clothes are dry before the end of the cycle. The timed cycles often run long after clothes are dry which can also reduce the life of fabrics. Be sure to empty the lint filter with each cycle.
5. Computers: Turn computers, monitors, and other electronic devices completely off when not being used. Unplug electronic devices when leaving for holidays, as many consume power even when they are not being used.
6. Refrigerators: Don’t keep temperature settings for refrigerators and freezers lower than necessary. Set refrigerators between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and keep freezers between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. When leaving for holiday breaks, empty the contents and leave the refrigerator with the door propped open.
7. Thermostats: When leaving for several hours or more, lower temperatures settings in the winter or raise them in the summer. Wear clothing appropriate for the season. If a space is overheated or overcooled, let maintenance know first before opening windows or using space heaters.
8. Blinds: Keep blinds and doors closed when leaving and at night. This helps retain space temperatures. Alternatively, allowing sun in during the winter provides free heating, and blocking it in the summer keeps the room cooler.
9. Stairs: Consider using the stairs instead of the elevator when possible.
10. Encourage and Educate others to be energy-conscious. Cumulatively, minor adjustments to daily routines greatly conserve natural resources and reduce emissions, while saving money to be used for better purposes. An efficient, energy-conscious culture is better for all of us.