As you no doubt are aware, Arizona State University is examining ways to advance and maintain its academic core services and its demonstrated commitment to sustainability while reducing its operating expenses in response to the serious financial constraints currently facing Arizona. This process has confirmed that energy consumption is our largest non-personnel expenditure and I write to ask for your help in recognizing and maximizing opportunities to reduce our energy use across the university. We continue to improve energy efficiency on the Tempe and West campuses through an ongoing series of capital investments. These projects are expected to further reduce energy consumption once completed in 2010. In addition, there are opportunities to capitalize on immediate savings by changing some of our operational protocols. Facilities Management personnel on all ASU campuses have been asked to begin the process of adjusting temperature set points in buildings that are not restricted by regulatory and/or other compliance requirements to winter temperatures of 65° and summer temperatures of 82°. It is estimated that these changes will save the University over $900,000 annually. In addition, Facilities Management is reviewing and revising Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) operating schedules to match the hours when buildings are regularly occupied. If it is possible to reduce the operating schedules by 10% overall, the savings to ASU could be close to $500,000 annually. By working together, these significant savings are within reach. Additional progress in energy conservation can be achieved through individual and departmental efforts, which is why it is also important for ASU to implement the university-wide practices below:
- Unplug personal appliances such as refrigerators, coffee makers, microwave ovens, hot plates, fans and heaters in individual offices.
- Turn off lights in work areas when they are unoccupied. Also, please use only the lighting in work areas necessary wherever possible.
- Turn off computers or set them to sleep mode when not in use. (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_mgt_users)
- Keep exterior building doors closed when HVAC systems are operating.
ASU is working diligently and cooperatively to minimize the impact of pending state budget reductions on individuals. The cost reducing measures outlined above equate to critical funding needed to operate the university and we can only achieve these savings with the full participation of our university community. ASU is comprised of over 80,000 individual students, faculty and staff who serve as potential change agents and your ideas and feedback are valued.Your help in identifying and communicating additional cost saving opportunities is appreciated (http://www.asu.edu/president/suggestions) and I look forward to updating you on our collective efforts to reduce ASU’s environmental footprint. Thank you in advance for your help as we work through the state’s current fiscal downturn to ensure ASU sustains and enhances its commitment to our vision of inclusion of all students qualified for university study, research and discovery, and contributions to the well being of our community.
