Facilities Management and Safety requests energy conservation actions before winter break

Facilities Management and Safety requests that employees who have been working in campus facilities during fall semester take energy conservation actions before leaving buildings for the furlough period and winter break closure. 

These actions will help Ohio University save energy, reduce environmental impacts and minimize costs:

• Turn off and unplug all electrical items, including holiday decorations, fans, coffee pots, TVs, chargers, computers, monitors and printers*.
• Turn off window air-conditioning units.
• Close and lock all windows.
• Clean out and unplug small refrigerators; place old newspaper or a towel under the fridge if water leakage is likely, and prop the door open. 
• Adjust thermostat to a lower temperature, but no lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Turn off lights.
• Close blinds and tilt slats upwards.
• Take home plants or other items that cannot tolerate fluctuating temperatures. Please be advised that temperatures in Ohio University buildings may be as low as 55°F or as high as 85°F during the Winter Break due to building temperature setbacks. 

Energy conservation is important to Ohio University and is incorporated into the design of new buildings, major renovation projects, transportation programs and other campus operations. Conservation measures occur in existing buildings during closures, including escalator shutdown in Baker University Center and building temperature setbacks. If you have questions about energy conservation at the University, please contact: Facilities Management and Safety at 593-2911.  

*Please contact the IT Service Desk or your departmental IT technician if you have questions or concerns about powering off computer equipment during this extended time.