Are You the One?
You can be the one!
Turning off unused lights and *monitors can add up to big savings for the environment. So go ahead, be the one and turn something off!
Show everyone that you're it with an I'm the One button. Don't have one? Contact us at sustainability@viu.ca
Sustainability is EVERYONE's responsibility!
Here at VIU, did you know that over 60% of electricity use is from lights and things that are plugged in?
What can you do?
Turn off a light!
Light is needed for a variety of tasks as well as safety, but all the lights don't have to be on all the time! Last one to leave a room? Turn off the lights!
Turn off your monitor!
Although monitors go into low-power mode, they still draw energy--about 1W. Here at VIU, there are 2000+ monitors. Even if they're all in low-power mode, that's still 2kW/hr. So, each night when all is quiet on campus, that's about 8 hours x 2kW/hr x 365 days of wasted energy -- and that's a pretty conservative estimate!
Turn off/Unplug what you're not using!
Yes, there are things that do need to be left on--refrigerators, air pumps, and networked CPUs are a few.
But chargers, label makers, laptops--if it's got a light on while not in use, it's still drawing electricity. Turn it off or even better, unplug it!
Use it well!
Any appliance that heats uses lots of electricity.
Use a kettle? Only boil enough water for what you need. Unplug the kettle when you're finished.
Some offices are cold in winter and a space heater is necessary. Heat enough to take the chill off, but not so much that you'd be comfortable wearing shorts and flip-flops!
Close the Blinds!
Closing the blinds at night creates an insulating layer to keep the heat in and the cold out (in winter). Turn the blinds so the curve faces out.
interior side ) exterior side
Close the doors/windows!
Last out? close the doors and windows. This will conserve the heat in the room so it won't need as much reheating.
Report it!
Too hot or cold? Can't open/close doors or windows? Let Facilities Services (or call local 6500) know so they can address the problem!
Assess your office!
How can you make it more energy-efficient?
Be the ONE to make VIU more sustainable!