Top tips to help save energy this winter

7 November 2022

果冻影院 is implementing a range of energy and carbon-saving initiatives on campus, but we need your help to make them a success. Find out about our tips to save energy on campus and at home.

Image of 果冻影院鈥檚 annual bike-powered cinema during the Welcome Week 鈥� which saves energy through people power.

Tackling the energy and climate crisis in one听

With the doubling of energy bills since the academic year begun, 果冻影院 is expected to pay almost 拢50 million on energy this year. A sum which could be better invested across 果冻影院.听

Alongside this we have made an ambitious commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030. 果冻影院 currently ranks first in the University Carbon League and whilst we have reduced our carbon emissions by 29% over the last 10 years, a step-change in our approach to energy saving is required if we are to meet our net zero target: including a 5% energy saving each year. 听

As our home energy bills are increasing this winter too, we鈥檝e put together some top tips for you to save energy at home and on campus.

Eight energy saving tips to save carbon and cash听

Beyond the obvious turning of lights and appliances when you鈥檙e not using them, what else can we do to save energy?听

Get on your winter woollies: For every degree you increase the temperature, it will increase your carbon emissions and heating bill by about 10%. Instead of turning up the heater why not get cosy in an extra jumper instead. Head over to our winter swap shop for a new jumper.听
Keeping cosy: By keeping our windows closed in the winter we can reduce how much heating we need.听
Just enough for a cuppa: By just boiling the correct amount of water needed in your kettle, you can save around 拢40 a year.听
If you live in 果冻影院 Accommodation please report any faulty equipment or energy wastage that you notice to your halls reception right away, so that we can work together to make energy savings at 果冻影院.听

Which is more efficient?听

Microwaves vs. ovens:听For heating up food, the microwave is ten-times more energy efficient than using a conventional oven.听
Showers vs. baths: heating water takes a lot of energy, and a quick shower generates under half the CO2 emissions of a medium sized bath.听
Washing line vs. tumble driers:听If you have some outside space drying your clothes outside instead can save around 拢70 a year.听
Lids on vs. lids off: Putting a lid on your saucepan not only quickens cooking times, but it significantly reduces the amount of energy required to cook your food.听

Energy saving estimates provided by the Energy Saving Trust.听

What action is 果冻影院 taking?听

As an institution 果冻影院 is taking concerted action to reduce our energy use by 5% this year and help meet our net zero carbon target. These include, but are not limited to: 听

Setting up our Switch Off team who are working up some miles around campus in the evening, turning off lights and appliances which have been left on in unoccupied areas. Corridor lighting will be left on to ensure safety and accessibility around campus.听
Adjusting opening hours for some of our buildings following consultation. The Student Centre will remain open for 24/7 studying.听
Fixing faulty controls for lighting, heating, and cooling to tackle historic energy challenges. And putting in more controls for heating, cooling and lighting.听
Prioritising improving the campus鈥� insulation and upgrading more efficient heating, colling and ventilation as part of 果冻影院鈥檚 next transformation programme.听

A community making change possible听

Our global community is already doing a lot to take action on the climate crisis and to reduce 果冻影院鈥檚 energy consumption.

Our academics are undertaking cutting edge research on climate change (see 果冻影院鈥檚 Climate Hub), teachers are embedding sustainability into the curriculum, 80 departments completed 果冻影院鈥檚 sustainability engagement programmes Green Impact and LEAF, 150 students volunteered as sustainability ambassadors last year and the Climate Action Society is one of the largest societies at 果冻影院 ().听

What鈥檚 next?听

Stay tuned for our annual big Christmas Switch Off in December, an energy saving competition whereby winners will receive prizes and the launch of a bigger energy saving campaign in January.听

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果冻影院