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¹û¶³Ó°Ôº is currently reviewing its energy consumption, with a view to becoming more environmentally sustainable.Ìý

Energy conservation
¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's Energy Officer is David Anderson. Since David came into post at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº in June 2007, he has been working on a Strategic Implementation Plan to reduce ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's carbon emissions. "I spent my first months at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº working out ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's carbon footprint, and I am now working with the Carbon Trust on an environmental strategy to reduce ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's carbon emissions by 20 per cent over the next five years." This five-year plan will submitted for audit to the Carbon Trust in February 2008, and then submitted to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Council before implementation.

The strategy sets forth a wide variety of ways in which ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº can save energy and become more environmentally friendly. As part of the plan, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº is considering over 70 suggestions for conserving energy at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, and is currently incorporating these into the carbon management strategy.

He is now ordering the suggestions according to priority: ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº aims to introduce the most simple and practicable first, then move on to address more complex suggestions and possibilities: "Ideas have ranged from the lagging of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's many exposed hot water pipes, which is fairly easy to implement, through to building a wind turbine on one of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's outlying sites, which would clearly entail more thought and planning."

David is also leading the launch of the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº energy-awareness website, You Have the Power. Accompanying the website campaign are a series of memory-jogging stickers, mouse mats and posters, reminding all of us to take opportunities to conserve power whether we're making a cup of tea, or switching off the computer at the end of the day.

How can I save energy at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº?
To meet ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's carbon targets, all members of the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº community will need to be involved in reducing energy wastage on a day-to-day basis.

You Have The Power gives many simple tips about how to save energy. The following apply to the office:

Heating & Cooling

• Set your radiator thermostat, if one is fitted, to reasonable levels. The statutory aim is 19°C
• Ensure radiators are not blocked by furniture or filing cabinets, as they will absorb the heat
• If it gets too hot in the winter, don't open a window, try turning the radiator off first
• Ensure all extractor fans are off overnight and when not required
• Don't leave doors open between areas of a different temperatures
• Do not use portable heaters. If it's too cold report the problem to Estates & Facilities Division. Call the help desk on 30000.
• Keep doors and windows closed in air-conditioned areas. If you don't your letting the cool air escape requiring further cooling
• Do make correct use of window blinds where fitted. These can help reduce overheating on hot sunny days and also reduce lighting requirements on bright cooler days
• Lighting
• Try to use as much natural light as possible - working nearer windows will save turning on lights so often and ensure windows are kept clean
• Switch off lighting whenever you leave the room (toilet, meetings, lunch and evenings)
• Between your colleagues make sure the last to leave in the evenings is responsible for turning off all lights
• Does your work area have a cupboard, storeroom, etc lit by means of an old style tungsten bulb? If so arrange to have it changed for an energy efficient bulb.
• IT Equipment
• Switch off computer screens when away from your desk (especially during lunch and meetings).
• Don't switch on computers and printers which have been turned off until you need them
• Make sure you share printers between colleagues
• Switch off photocopiers and printers at night
• Purchase electrical equipment with a high energy saving value
• Kitchen
• When you make a hot drink, boil just the amount of water you need and in a day we could save enough energy to light every street lamp in the UK
• Regularly defrost your fridge to avoid wasting energy. You should also check the seals on your fridge/freezer to ensure no warm air is getting in - the seals should be tight enough to hold a piece of paper securely when close
• Have a seven-day timer fitted to vending machines and water coolers so that they are not unnecessarily using electricity at night and over the weekends.