Brandeis set to 'Turn it Off' this summer

This summer, Brandeis will again encourage community members to “Turn It Off” – its annual, university-wide campaign designed to reduce campus energy use during heat waves when electricity demand rises to its highest levels.

Reducing electricity use during peak times results in environmental gains as well as financial savings. In New England, electricity demand during very hot days necessitates the operation of older, oil- and coal-fired power plants, leading to an increase in air pollution and some of the most carbon-intense ​​days for the electric grid.

Through previous Turn It Off initiatives, Brandeis has seen as much as a 20-percent decrease in its peak day electricity demands.

The community’s combined efforts demonstrate that individual conservation actions do add up to meaningful results​​. ​​Because the university’s year-round electricity rates are partially based on our demand during the summer’s hottest days, our success in this year’s Turn It Off Program may result in significant savings in Brandeis’ electric bills in the future.

To​ continue the success​ of Turn It Off, Brandeis needs help from every community member.

• On the days that are predicted to be the summer’s hottest, community members will be alerted via email to “Turn It Off” by:
• Turning off unnecessary lights in offices, classrooms, laboratories and hallways — this simple action will have the most impact.
• Shutting windows and exterior doors.
• Pulling down shades and closing blinds.
• Shutting off unnecessary computers, printers and other energy-consuming equipment.
• Refraining from charging portable devices.
• Unplugging everything you can from wall outlets, even if the device is shut off.
• Being tolerant of higher temperatures across the entire campus as we raise building temperatures a bit between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. (The temperature inside particularly temperature-sensitive areas will not be raised).

Anyone with questions about "Turn It Off" should contact sustainability manager Mary Fischer.