Think Carbon: try our energy saving tips

Save energy

With so many of our activities having moved online, we may find our use of laptops and mobile devices has increased, but we can all do something to save energy, money and carbon dioxide emissions.

Pull the plug on climate change imageIn the SSL we have been working to reduce the energy consumption of our electrical equipment for several years by switching off some photocopiers and PCs during low use periods, setting the photocopiers to sleep after a few minutes’ inactivity and enabling power saving settings on staff PCs.  We have reduced PC monitor brightness and we turn off monitors when not in use.  Low energy LED lights with motion sensors have been installed throughout the library, reducing  the electricity used for lighting by two thirds.

Here are our top tips for how you can save energy at home and in the SSL:

  1. Switch off laptops, mobile phones and tablets when not in use – simple and effective.
  2. Investigate and enable power saving settings on your laptop and mobile phone – do this once then save energy without even thinking about it.
  3. Turn off your mobile phone’s Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth when not in use – this will also make your battery last longer between charges.
  4. Reduce the screen brightness on your mobile phone & laptop.
  5. Unplug any USB devices from your laptop, eg external hard drives, when they are not needed – these can still draw power when not in use.
  6. Shut down the library Reader PCs after use – our PCs are really quick to start up.
  7. Turn off the lights in the Discussion Rooms and Information Skills Training Room when you leave – it’s our policy to leave these lights off.

To learn more about climate change or find out about Oxford University green initiatives, look out for the next posts on our Climate Change Virtual Book Display and getting involved.

 

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