This summer, the University of New Mexico will start the next phase of an aggressive energy conservation program that is expected to reduce the university’s overall energy bill. The university has already retrofitted certain buildings on campus to make them more energy efficient. While those efforts continue, the goal for the summer is to get UNM’s staff and faculty on board and remind them of simple energy conservation tips they can use on a daily basis.
By following these tips, such as remembering to check the lights in your office or increasing your thermostat a couple of degrees, everyone can have a hand in changing the university’s energy needs now and in the future.
A message from President Schmidly.
To help members of the UNM community realize some of the effect that simple, everyday changes can have on the environment, “Energy Conservation Educators” hired by Lobo Energy, a UNM Corporation, have started providing energy savings expertise and tips to UNM deans, department chairs, directors and other key personnel located in buildings throughout campus. These educators will also be working closely with UNM building maintenance staff to make sure that new energy conservation guidelines are implemented without inconveniencing staff and faculty.
Some of the energy-saving opportunities that UNM’s energy educators will inform UNM community members about include:
* Reducing the length of time building cooling systems operate during the day.
* Making sure vacant offices, rooms or residential life apartments are not using energy.
* Additional energy savings can be achieved by reminding UNM staff and faculty of simple steps they can take, including shutting down computers, lights and other electronic devices when leaving their work areas.
UNM’s recent contract with Energy Education, Inc., the company training these energy educators, should reduce the university’s energy use by 15-20 percent, resulting in a $54 million savings on UNM’s energy bill, over the next 10 years.
Media Contact: Benson Hendrix, (505) 277-1816; e-mail: bhendrix@unm.edu