Elon University has approved an energy conservation policy that outlines campus energy reduction efforts in areas that include heating and cooling, lighting, and computer use.
The recently implemented policy expands on concepts in Elon’s Sustainability Master Plan. It also shares ways for the campus community – students, faculty and staff – to get involved. A few highlights of the policy follow:
Lighting
• Discontinuing the use of incandescent lighting wherever more efficient lighting is possible such as when compact fluorescent bulbs can be used.
• Turning off lights in unoccupied spaces
Heating and Cooling
• Every effort will be made to maintain the occupied temperature in all university facilities at 68 degrees in the winter and 76 degrees in the summer
• The temperature during low occupancy or unoccupied periods in all university facilities will be allowed to cool down to 55 degrees in the winter and warm up to 85 degrees in the summer
Computers
• Computer power management settings shall be enabled on each machine
• Computers purchased with University funds are required to be Energy Star and EPEAT labeled unless suitable justifications are approved
The Energy Conservation Policy is one of the many steps Elon is taking toward the goal of carbon neutrality as identified in the Sustainability Master Plan. When the university’s greenhouse gas emissions were first measured in 2008, it was found that energy consumption accounts for 56 percent of all GHG emissions. The energy conservation policy will help lower these emissions.
The policy charges all university students, faculty and staff with recognizing the importance of energy conservation and doing their part to conserve energy and reduce waste both on and off campus.
Anyone with ideas to improve conservation efforts on campus is encouraged to inform the Physical Plant through their website at http://www.elon.edu/fixit/ or call 278-5500 or contact the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@elon.edu.