Implemented in 2009, UNC's Energy Usage Policy makes a energy conservation a campus-wide priority.  In managing energy usage, UNC strives to balance energy conservation with comfortable temperatures for those who work, live, and study in campus buildings.   Since 2003, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has reduced energy consumption per square foot by 7%. Because of rising energy costs and unprecedented construction of new buildings, our energy bill has gone up 45% during this period to $67.5 million annually. Our goal, as mandated by Senate Bill 668, is a 20% reduction in consumption by July 1, 2010. You can help save energy by making an effort to conserve and by recruiting others to assist. Your efforts can help:

• Reduce our campus energy bills,
• Preserve our natural resources, and
• Reduce the environmental impacts associated with energy use.

Need Help or Have Suggestions? The Energy Conservation Manager is here to help. If you have questions, know of problems, such as windows that won’t close, lights left on, broken thermostats, etc., or if you have ideas that could help improve campus energy efficiency, please contact Warren Jochem at save-energy@unc.edu.

Reduce the power consumption of your computer & peripherals: We can save up to $100 per computer by activating power management on both the monitor and central processing unit (CPU).

• Set your monitor to sleep when you are not using your computer for 15 minutes or longer. You can configure your computer to do this automatically through the Control Panel—Power Options. In some units, your IT staff may need to do this for you because of limited administrative rights for computer users.
• Turn off all computer equipment, printers, and scanners when not in use, especially at night and on weekends.
• Laptops use only 1/4 the energy of a desktop. Purchase external keyboards and mice to improve ergonomic usability.
• Flat screens use only 1/3 the energy and contain 1/10 the lead of traditional monitors. They also radiate less heat and last longer. The additional cost will pay for itself in energy savings.
• When purchasing computers and peripherals, buy equipment certified by the EPA's Energy Star program and be sure to enable power management features when setting up equipment.

Note to computer lab operators: minimally, power management features should be enabled on all monitors in computer labs. Sleeping monitors save energy as well as screens and will keep your lab cooler. Also, when lab use is low (e.g. late hours, during breaks, or summer semesters), it may be possible to provide full service to your users while keeping some or many of the computers and monitors in your lab off. Experiment to determine how many operating computers are actually needed.

See the Energy Star FAQsfor more information.

Capitalize on natural lighting & new technologies: Lighting uses about 25% of all electricity in the United States.

• Turn off unused or unneeded lights.
• Rely on daylight instead of electric light whenever possible. This will also reduce cooling needs.
• Try task lighting and reduce overhead lighting.
• If you have a desk lamp, make sure it uses a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL). Incandescent lamps are to be phased out by January 31, 2008.  
• Don’t use table lamps unless illumination from the lamps is actually needed.

Stay comfortable in all seasons: Heating and cooling are the largest energy expenses on campus. While our biggest conservation savings will come from improved mechanical systems and building weatherization, you can still help!

• Dress appropriate to the season and keep thermostats set to achieve 68 degrees in the winter and 76 degrees for air-conditioned spaces in the summer.
• During the heating season, open blinds, drapes and curtains to let sun in. If no sun, close them to keep the heat in especially at night.
• During the cooling season close blinds, drapes and curtains to block direct sun.
• Use hot water sparingly.
• Keep windows and doors closed in heated and air conditioned areas.
• Portable heaters and halogen lamps are not allowed in offices or in residence halls.

Purchasing Office and Laboratory Equipment:

• Purchase only energy-efficient models (look for the Energy Star logo).
• If Energy Star ratings are not available for the equipment you purchase, use energy consumption as one of your selection criteria when comparing options (see Energy Efficient Purchasing Policy).
• Turn off all energy consuming office and research equipment when not in use, e.g., copiers, refrigerators, environmental chambers, fume hoods, etc.