Energy conservation begins with you

Harmick Marcarian and Bill Irwin

Yes, there is an energy crisis, and this time it is not just in California (remember the deregulation fiasco in 2001?). During the past three years, energy costs, as we are all aware, have skyrocketed. Natural-gas prices two years ago were about 45 cents per therm. Today they are closer to 75 cents per therm, and at these prices, Caltech might have had to pay over $3 million more for natural gas this year.

Fortunately, a large portion of these increases has been avoided because of the measures taken to conserve energy and modernize our facilities. Because the best defense against rising energy costs is energy efficiency and conservation, Caltech’s facilities management department for several years has been implementing energy-management projects. And the goals are to help ensure uninterrupted power to the campus; conserve energy in a safe manner; and shield the campus, if possible, from the cost volatilities currently being seen in gas and electric prices.

Some of the measures accomplished include the expansion of Caltech’s co-generation plant from 5 megawatts to 12 megawatts. This highly efficient system enables Caltech to avoid purchasing all of its electricity from the city of Pasadena, thereby avoiding significant electric cost increases. The new plant was recently awarded the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Award.

Inefficient lighting has been replaced with energy-efficient T-8 lamps in 15 academic research buildings; energy-saving equipment has been added to building mechanical systems; all exit signs have been converted from incandescent or fluorescent to LED signs; “phantom fluorescent tubes” have been reinstalled; air-conditioning run times in nonlab buildings have been reduced; a 60 kilowatt microturbine has been installed at the Administrative Technology Center; occupancy sensors have been installed in buildings; irrigation is monitored through an automatic control system; and an award-winning recycling program has reduced Caltech’s waste stream by 40 percent.

As we brace for summer and even higher energy costs, we ask the campus community to follow some simple steps to help us control our energy consumption.

Computers: screen savers do not save energy, but giving your computer a nap does. Enable power-management features so that your computer monitor and hard drive will go into a low power (blank screen) or “sleep mode” when not actively in use. Keep all computer equipment off unless in use—especially at night and on weekends. Turn off your monitor when you go to lunch or to a meeting. Turn off monitors on servers. Enable power-management features on computer printers and/or turn them off when not actively printing.

When purchasing computers and peripherals, buy low-wattage equipment certified by the Energy Star program, and be sure to enable power-management features when setting up equipment.

Lighting: Turn off unused or unneeded lights (corridor and hallway lights and restroom lights can often be turned off). If you are the last out of a room, turn off the lights. Use natural lighting instead of electric lighting whenever possible. Try task lighting and reduce overhead lighting. If you have a desk lamp, make sure it uses a fluorescent bulb. Don’t use table lamps unless illumination from the lamps is actually needed. Do not use halogen floor lamps in any campus building. These lamps are very energy wasteful and may pose a safety risk. Turn off lights at sports fields, tracks, and courts when not in use.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC): Dress appropriately to the season and keep thermostats set to achieve 68° to 70° Fahrenheit in the winter and 74° to 78° Fahrenheit for air-conditioned spaces in the summer. During the cool months, open blinds, drapes, and curtains to let the sun shine in. If there is no sunlight, close them to keep the heat in, especially at night. During the hot months, close blinds, drapes, and curtains to block direct sunlight. Use hot water sparingly. Keep windows and doors closed in heated and air-conditioned areas, and close vestibule doors if they are left propped open.

Regarding other electrical equipment, purchase only energy-efficient models, turn off all energy-consuming office and research equipment when not in use, such as copiers, refrigerators, environmental rooms, fume hoods, etc. Portable fans and heaters should not be used unless required for medical conditions or as a result of HVAC failures.

Report energy waste. Direct complaints about energy waste on campus, or suggestions for energy conservation, to Harmick Marcarian, the Institute’s energy manager, at ext. 4299 or harmick.marcarian@caltech.edu.

Energy conservation is something we can (and indeed must) do together.

Irwin is the director of Facilities Management.
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