Lights Out!

February 2009

Turn off unused energy

This message is one worth repeating because it's so simple to do and has a real impact. The MELG building has made great strides already in cutting back on unnecessary power usage (see below) but it's estimated that we can improve by another 25% over our current level of savings by focusing on the following:

• Turn off lights in offices when you step out for an extended period - especially lunch and end of day.
• Turn off computers at the end of the day.
• Turn out hallway lights in the MELG entry hall if it's after 5pm.
• Turn off copy room and break room lights when last to leave.
• Turn out "office extras" such as lamps, heaters, digital picture frames, radios, and force fields at end of the day.
• Turn off bathroom lights when you're the last to leave.

Don't be shy about reminding neighbors or flicking a switch if you see one burning unnecessarily.

What improvements have we already made?

Since the EnergyWise Task Force began tracking energy usage in the building, our data shows the following improvements:

• Bathroom light unoccupied turn-off has gone from 6% (they used to be off mostly just at night, if that) to 77% (74% women's, 80% men's). They hardly ever remain on over night or weekends any more and even during the day, they are reaching exceptional efficiency levels!
• Parking lot lights have been calibrated to a more efficient schedule to correspond with daylight and usage times better.
• Basement lights have NOT been reported left on unnecessarily for months (although data got a little fuzzy during recent construction periods where usage patterns were uncertain).
• Basement lighting plan has been enhanced to improve efficiency by 30% even when running.
• Space heater use has been reduced to 20% of its level 2 years ago (MASB has led the way on that initiative!).
• Computer turn-off has improved significantly (still collecting data for detail report).

Keep up the great work and spead the word in the work place and at home!