Top 10 Energy Savers
Adjusting room tempertatures
Keep space thermostats set at 68°F during the heating season and 76°F during the cooling season. Maintaining temperatures at these levels requires occupants to dress appropriately for the season.
Estimated Annual Savings
$185 per room
Utility Saved
Steam / Abs. Cooling
kWh Savings
2,001
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
3,082
SOX (lbs/yr)
15.9
NOX (lbs/yr)
7.6
Justification: 1, 2, 3, 4, 27
Using Portable Space Heaters
Avoid the use of portable electric space heaters; call POCC at 7-2059 for rooms too hot or too cold.
Estimated Annual Savings
$100 per unit
Utility Saved
Electricity
kWh Savings
1,205
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
1,855
SOX (lbs/yr)
9.5
NOX (lbs/yr)
4.6
Justification: 3, 5
Windows Open/Closed
Keep exterior doors and windows closed.
Estimated Annual Savings
$195 per window
Utility Saved
Steam / Abs. Cooling
kWh Savings
2,112
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
3,252
SOX (lbs/yr)
16.7
NOX (lbs/yr)
8.0
Justification: 7
Electrical Office Appliances
Turn off all unused electrical appliances when not in use.
Estimated Annual Savings
$2.20 per unit
Utility Saved
Electricity
kWh Savings
27
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
41
SOX (lbs/yr)
0.2
NOX (lbs/yr)
0.1
Justification: 13
Shutting Computers Down
Do not leave your computer running overnight and on weekends. Also, wait until you are ready to use the PC before you turn it on.
Estimated Annual Savings
$30 per computer
Utility Saved
Electricity
kWh Savings
361
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
557
SOX (lbs/yr)
2.9
NOX (lbs/yr)
1.4
Justification: 16
Prolonged Computer Inactivity
If your computer is going to be inactive for more than 16 minutes, consider turning it off since the energy needed to run the computer outweighs the start-up energy. Please note that a modest amount of turning on and off will not harm the computer or monitor.
Estimated Annual Savings
$3.20 per computer
Utility Saved
Electricity
kWh Savings
39
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
59
SOX (lbs/yr)
0.3
NOX (lbs/yr)
0.1
Justification: 17, 27
Elevator vs. Stairs
Use the stairs when possible.
Estimated Annual Savings
$1,060 per year
Utility Saved
Electricity
kWh Savings
12,771
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
19,667
SOX (lbs/yr)
101.1
NOX (lbs/yr)
48.5
Justification: 21
Complying with Building Schedule
Know and cooperate with scheduled hours of building operations; do not expect buildings to have fully operational HVAC systems during evenings and weekends when there is minimal occupant use.
Estimated Annual Savings
$470 per unit
Utility Saved
Steam / Abs. Cooling
kWh Savings
5,254
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
8,091
SOX (lbs/yr)
41.6
NOX (lbs/yr)
20.0
Justification:22
Lighting Problems
Report lighting problems including burned-out lamps, defective occupancy sensors, or flickering bulbs to your Zone Maintenance office.
Estimated Annual Savings
$57 per sensor
Utility Saved
Electricity
kWh Savings
687
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
1,058
SOX (lbs/yr)
5.4
NOX (lbs/yr)
2.6
Justification: 23, 27
Turning Lights Off
Turn off the lights in classrooms, offices or restrooms when the rooms are not being occupied.
Estimated Annual Savings
$40 per classroon
Utility Saved
Electricity
kWh Savings
482
CO2 avoided (lbs/yr)
742
SOX (lbs/yr)
3.8
NOX (lbs/yr)
1.8
Justification: 24
Notes:
All figures calculated based on 2007 data.
Electricity Costs at the University of Michigan are scheduled at $0.083/kWh
Water Costs at the University of Michigan are scheduled at $5.21/CCU
Steam Costs at the University of Michigan are scheduled at $20.00/Mlb
Absorption Cooling Costs at the University of Michigan are scheduled at $31.55/Mlb
1 kWh = 0.003413 Mlb of steam
1 kWh = 1.54 lbs/yr CO2 prevented
1 kWh saved = 0.00792 lbs/yr SO2 prevented
1 kWh saved = 0.0038 lbs/yr NOX prevented
