Employees are encouraged to take simple steps to help the university save energy during the winter break.

"Through your direct actions each year, Cornell saves up to $100,000 in electricity and heating energy costs during winter break," said Kyu-Jung Whang, vice president for facilities services. "With renewed commitment on your part this year, I know we can further increase the savings," he said.

Whang said that efforts by members of the Cornell community to save energy over break complement many other cost-saving initiatives under way across campus and the university's overall commitment to sustainability in campus operations.

To conserve campus energy:

• Turn off computers and monitors, office copiers, printers, research equipment, lighting and any other non-critical electric loads in your facilities during the holiday break. Unplug power supplies and shut off plug strips.
• Visit Facilities Services Sustainable Computing or see your computer support person for details or questions about minimizing computer energy use.
• Safely reduce the use of ventilation, heating and cooling. Always close fume hood sashes when not in use for safety and reduced ventilation air flow.
• If a fume hood is not in use or is planned to be idle for more than two months, ask your building coordinator to have Facilities Services Control Shop Conservation Team take it out of service, which can save up to $5,000 per year. Facilities Services can return it to service when needed.
• When purchasing office or laboratory equipment, request Energy Star or the highest efficiency available to reduce life-cycle costs and energy use.

For other savings tips and information on Cornell's conservation efforts, visit Energy Management.