A friendly reminder: turn off the lights

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A friendly reminder: turn off the lights

Thursday, March 5, 2009

CONTACT: Vaughn Shinkus <vaughn.shinkus@temple.edu> 215-204-1889

“Switch off, save energy.”

That’s the message university leaders want you to remember when leaving your office or classroom. And through a new initiative co-sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, Students for Environmental Action and the Office of Facilties Management, they’re now offering a gentle reminder.

Over the past several weeks, student and staff volunteers have been going from building to building on Temple’s Main Campus, Health Sciences Center and Ambler affixing decals to light switch covers in classrooms and other high-traffic areas. The brightly designed, green stickers cover wall switches and remind exiting occupants to switch off the lights when they are the last to leave a space.

The initiative is part of Temple's implementation of a new Energy Conservation Policy. Adopted in December, the policy provides regulations governing the use of a range of university resources, including heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; lighting; computer equipment; and water. It also provides direction on acceptable types of lighting: all indoor lighting should be fluorescent or LED; incandescent lamps are prohibited.

The policy directs that lights should be turned off by the last person leaving a space, no matter how long they intend to be gone. According to sustainability director Sandra McDade, studies have shown that turning off fluorescent lights if

Over the past several weeks, student and staff volunteers have been affixing decals to light switch covers in classrooms and other high-traffic areas. The brightly designed, green stickers cover wall switches and remind exiting occupants to switch off the lights when they are the last to leave a space.

you are gone longer than five seconds saves energy. By turning off lights in rooms that are unoccupied, Philadelphians could save approximately $4.5 million each year.

McDade believes the effort will help Temple achieve its goal of achieving carbon neutrality over time. Last year, Temple President Ann Weaver Hart signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, which prescribes measures to reduce Temple’s greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative will also help Temple reduce its energy expenses — critical during this time of economic belt tightening.

To learn more, or volunteer to apply the decals as part of the initiative, visit the Office of Sustainability web site at www.temple.edu/sustainability.