go! Switch off for Christmas

Help the university save energy during the winter break by thinking carefully about what equipment has to stay on, and switching everything else off.  

We’re facing a climate emergency and we want to slash the university’s carbon emissions by 63% by 2030.​ We’re already doing a lot but we need the help of everyone to meet our ambition.  

Over a typical Christmas holiday period, the university spends £290k on electricity despite being closed. On Christmas Day itself, we still manage to use 70% of our average annual daily energy consumption! 

Like everyone else, the university’s projected energy bill has risen hugely from £18m in 2021/2022 to a projected £23 million in this current year and could be as high as £46m in 2023/2024!  

The Sustainability Team and Estate office are taking measures in the background to reduce our carbon emissions and the amount of energy used, whilst at the same time providing warm places in which to work and study 

• Working with building users to identify areas of waste 

• Optimising our heat systems so that we are only heating buildings when they are in use 

• Ensuring that our systems our operating as efficiently as possible and maximising the recovery of heat energy. 

Christmas Switch Off Checklist 

Up to 75% of all the electricity used on campus is controlled by individuals. Even the smallest actions add up to big impacts. Let’s see if we can make significant reductions to our electricity consumption, reduce our carbon emissions and save money. Power is in your hands so, go! Switch Off! 

• Switch off all electronics and lights fully 

• Ask if things that are normally left on can be turned off 

• Close windows and doors  

• Report any faults or issues in university-managed buildings to the Estates helpdesk  

• Identify additional steps your department or institution could take to reduce energy – the Sustainability Team can help with this 

Together with your colleagues, use our checklists to switch off your office, department or lab before leaving for Christmas. 

• Christmas Switch Off checklist 

• Lab shutdown poster 

• Lab energy walkaround checklist 

Save energy at home 

We’ve put together some top tips to help you save energy and money at home. These are things everyone can do and will have the biggest impact on your energy bills aside from ensuring your house is fully insulated. 

Green Rewards 

You can get rewarded for the energy and carbon saving activities you complete. Sign up to Green Rewards, start earning points and you could earn prizes every month for yourself, and charity donations for your team. 

Find out more about saving energy at the university and at home.