Help Northwestern Conserve Energy this Winter Recess

Northwestern is committed to energy conservation and taking measures to reduce our carbon footprint. Students, faculty, and staff members can help us reach our energy savings goals by taking some simple steps before leaving for winter recess.

What Facilities Is Doing

Campus buildings are closed for winter recess from Dec 24th, 2019 through Jan 1st, 2020. Not only is this an exciting benefit that allows staff to spend more time with their family and friends, it also creates an opportunity for the University to further reduce energy consumption and save on operational costs during the break.

The following energy conservation plan will be implemented:

• Fans will be shut down in select spaces.
• Temperature set points will be lowered to between 65 and 68 degrees F.
• Lighting will be turned off in designated areas.
• Cleaning and waste disposal services will be limited. 

What You Can Do

Reducing energy use is a campus-wide effort. Before you leave for the recess, complete these actions in your space to help support Northwestern's energy conservation goals:

In all spaces:

• Turn off all electronics. To quickly shut off computers, monitors, and other peripheral office equipment, plug them into a power strip and use the switch on the power strip to turn them all off at once. This will also cut off “vampire” or standby power usage.
• Unplug appliances such as coffee pots, toasters, printers, etc.
• Clean out and unplug any personal refrigerators.
• Close and lock all windows. If you notice drafty windows or broken window latches, please report the issue to Facilities.
• Turn off lights in offices, conference rooms, common spaces, etc.

In laboratories:

• Close fume hood sashes and turn off snorkel valves to reduce unnecessary energy use for ventilation.
• Turn off any non-essential lab equipment that will not be used over the break, especially high load equipment like heaters, dryers, ovens, and water baths. Check with your PI and lab manager to confirm best practices for your equipment.
• Close and lock lab doors.

During winter recess, urgent issues may be reported by calling Facilities Customer Service Evanston (847-491-5201) or Chicago (312-503-8000). When calling, remain on the line and select the prompt connecting you to University Police who will dispatch Facilities personnel.

Any non-emergency requests should be submitted through Facilities Connect or sent to Facilities Customer Service for processing when the University reopens on January 2nd.