ASU committed to energy conservation
<p>Conserving resources for the future is as easy as flipping a switch or turning a thermostat down a few degrees.</p><separator></separator><p>Arizona State University is committed to energy conservation through numerous efforts including the nation’s first School of Sustainability, but it’s through simple everyday acts that valuable energy is saved and operating expenses are reduced. Energy consumption is the university’s largest non-personnel expenditure.</p><separator></separator><p>Immediate savings in energy consumption are being realized on all of ASU’s campuses by setting winter thermostats at 65 degrees and summer temperatures at 82 degrees in buildings that are not restricted by regulatory or other temperature compliance requirements. These changes are expected to save the university more than $900,000 per year.</p><separator></separator><p>Facilities Management is also reviewing and revising heating, ventilation and air conditioning operating schedules to match hours when buildings are regularly occupied. A reduction of 10 percent overall could add up to approximately $500,000 per year.</p><separator></separator><p>Energy improvements on the Tempe and West campuses are currently underway through a series of capital investments that are expected to further reduce energy usage once they are completed in 2010. </p><separator></separator><p>Other energy savings methods that are being implemented by the university include: </p><separator></separator><p>• Unplug personal appliances such as refrigerators, coffee makers, microwave ovens, hot plates, fans and heaters in individual offices.</p><separator></separator><p>• Turn off lights in work areas when they are unoccupied. Also, please use only the lighting in work areas necessary wherever possible.</p><separator></separator><p>• Turn off computers or set them to sleep mode when not in use. (<a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_mgt_users" title="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_mgt_users)">ht…;) </p><separator></separator><p>• Keep exterior building doors closed when HVAC systems are operating.</p><separator></separator><p>ASU welcomes ideas from students, faculty and staff to help reduce energy usage and minimize the impact of pending state budget reductions. Go to <a href="http://www.asu.edu/president/suggestions">http://www.asu.edu/president/…; to contribute ideas for reducing the university’s environmental footprint and to suggest cost-savings measures for the university.</p>