Switch off this Christmas

15 Dec 2022

Our University is switching off this Christmas, and you can help

Our University has committed to becoming zero carbon by 2038 and, with an increased emphasis on conserving national energy resources this winter, you can help play a part in this by switching off non-essential electrical items before the Christmas closure. The University spends £17.8 million per year on energy and, on average, we see a reduction of 25% in energy usage which equates to a cost saving of £150,000 over the festive period.

Before you leave for Christmas, please check that the following is turned off:

• Office equipment

• Kitchen appliances

• Localised (not managed by Estates) heating equipment, air conditioning and fans

• Laboratory equipment (only to be turned off by approved laboratory technicians).

Don’t forget to switch off all lights, and check that windows and blinds are closed around the building. For managed desktops, please logoff to allow your computer to continue to receive essential updates and it will remain active for you to be able to access remotely.

Please do not turn off:

• Fridges/freezers (unless empty and please empty if possible)

• Experiments

• Servers

• Safety/monitoring equipment

• Fax machines

Laboratories

Laboratories are some of the most energy intensive environments, but there are a few simple ways of reducing energy usage:

• Close your fume hood sash whenever possible – often they’re the largest consumers of energy

• Ensure your freezers are running well, defrosted, and samples are managed

• Power down lab equipment wherever possible (check with laboratory technicians, your lab LEAF champion if you have one, or manufacturer booklet if unsure)

• Is the lighting appropriate to user requirements and always turned off when not required?

• Please do not turn off any safety/monitoring equipment

• Don’t forget to switch off any office equipment in your lab

More festive sustainability actions you can take can be found on our 50,000 Actions portal.