University focuses on energy conservation

Faced with rising energy bills, UW–Madison plans to do what many Wisconsin families will do this winter: conserve energy in an attempt to hold down costs and safeguard the environment.

“This campus has taken aggressive steps in recent years to manage and reduce energy use, and those efforts will pay huge dividends as fuel costs reach record levels,” says Alan Fish, associate vice chancellor for facilities. “But we need to redouble our efforts because of rising fuel prices.”

Officials are asking the university community to be vigilant about energy use by doing such things as turning off computers and lighting where feasible, making sure doors and windows are closed, setting thermostats sensibly, eliminating nonessential office equipment and conserving water.

Faramarz Vakili, associate director of Physical Plant, says a comprehensive energy conservation and awareness program is being developed at the direction of Chancellor John Wiley.

The campus’ energy bill in 2004-05 exceeded $41 million and was 12 percent higher than the year before, despite major energy-saving steps taken on campus.

“Our hope is for every student, faculty and staff member of the university to advocate for smart energy use and make energy conservation a conscious part of one’s daily responsibilities, decisions, activities and lifestyle,” Vakili says.

Gov. Jim Doyle issued an executive order on Nov. 21 directing state agencies to put into effect energy conservation plans for their facilities. Although the university is not considered an executive-branch agency, Fish says it makes sense for the campus to join in the state’s conservation drive.

“Wise energy use is an ongoing campus priority. We have made significant steps to reduce energy use, and plan to continue conservation efforts to save costs,” he adds.

UW–Madison is part of the state’s energy-saving Wisconsin Energy Initiative, which began in 1992. That program is expected to save the university more than $75 million in total energy costs, reduce water use by 1.7 billion gallons and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 8.9 million tons over 30 years.

Here are steps that could help the campus save on its energy bills:

• Turn off lights when feasible.
• Maximize use of natural lighting.
• Do not use halogen lights.
• Replace desk and lamp light bulbs with compact fluorescents.
• Report excessive illumination or opportunities for reducing lighting levels.
• Dress to the season and set your room thermostat sensibly.
• Obtain Physical Plant approval for use of electric space heaters or foot warmers.
• Remember: Screen savers do not save energy.
• Turn off computer and other office equipment when away on evenings & weekends.
• Eliminate nonessential office equipment.
• Consolidate and share underused office equipment
• Buy office equipment with “Energy Star” label.