Save energy and switch off before Christmas

As we get ready for the Christmas break, we need you to help prepare our buildings too. This means we can be as efficient as possible with energy use and reduces our carbon footprint. Heating times will be altered in some areas where there will be low or no occupancy. These will be returned to normal from 5 January, so some spaces may feel cooler to begin with when you are returning, so we’d recommend bringing an extra layer of warm clothing until the building or room temperature is back to normal.

Utilities costs (gas and electricity) have increased for the University in the same way that they have for you at home, and in the current financial circumstances we need to make sure we are using energy as efficiently as possible. In December 2024 we spent over £670k on gas and electricity, just to give you an idea of the impact utilities have.

Where you can, please do take just a few simple actions to avoid unnecessary energy use over the Christmas break. Every small action makes a big difference.

We are asking staff and students to switch off equipment and appliances that won’t be in use over the Christmas break. If something doesn’t need to be on, make sure it is off.

For staff:

• Most offices will be closed between Tuesday 23 December and Monday 5 January.
• Before you leave for your Christmas break please make sure that you:
• Switch off your computer if you have a desk PC
• Turn the monitors off (leaving them on standby will still use energy)
• Turn any Christmas lights off, ideally unplugging them
• Turn plugs off that won’t be in use, such as chargers, lamps or monitors
• Turn off kitchen boilers, kettles, microwaves in the staff kitchen
• Securely close windows and blinds
• If your radiator has a thermostat, then turn this down to 1 or the * (frost setting). These can then be turned back up when you return.
• If some of your colleagues have already left the office but have left their computer or other appliances on, then use your judgement and turn them off, if you know they will not be needed. Remember to leave a note on their keyboard saying what you’ve switched off.
• Look out for our classroom guidance posters and energy saving stickers in seminar and lecture rooms.

For students:

If you are staying away from your campus accommodation for the Christmas break, please remember to:

• Close your windows
• Set your radiator to 1
• Switch off lights
• Turn off any plugs e.g. chargers

You’re part of something bigger

Across our campuses, we’re working hard to improve energy efficiency where we can. We are already generating around 8% of our electricity from our solar panels.. Much of our lighting has been upgraded to LED, which uses much less energy than older fluorescent tube lights, and many areas have motion sensors installed so that they’re only on when there’s someone around.

We’ll continue to strive to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035, and there are many more things we can do. Ultimately, the most energy-efficient piece of equipment is the one that is off. We know that some equipment needs to be kept on, for a variety for reasons, but anything that can be off when not in use, please do your bit and flick that switch.

If you have any questions, then please email the Energy team at energy@essex.ac.uk.

We hope you have a great Christmas break.