Turn it off

Last week hopefully you made a plan to change some light bulbs……………this week we are talking about turning it off both at home and at work.

We leave so much on and running which is wasting power when we are not using it. Take the extra few seconds to turn it off and save yourself money, save power and reduce your impact on the National Grid. 

Here are just a few ideas:

• Lights – Turn them off when you leave the room, use sensor lights in hallways, lobbies and outside areas.  
• TV’s and other electronic devices – don’t leave them on standby, get off your butt and turn them off at the TV and at the wall.  
• Turn your oven and hob off at the wall. Same for your Washing Machine and Dryer – there is no need for these to stay on all the time. Even on standby they are sucking power. 
• Computers – remember that they are still sucking power in sleep mode, on screen saver and all other sleepy modes. Turn them off fully when not in use. 
• Going away for a few days – turn off your hot water cylinder too. Why heat water when you aren’t in the house. 

If you live or work in a place where people need reminders why not create a have you turned it off sign and place it in strategic places.   Otago Polytechnic has a system where all the computers are automatically turned off in the early evening, so if anyone has left theirs on, unless they are sitting in front of it and override the message that says it will be turned off, the computer will be off for the night.  They also have reminders to turn off the lights and also use the stairs rather than the lift, saving power and improving personal well-being.
These may all seem like small things and you on your own won’t make much difference – but if each and everyone of us make an effort, collectively we will make a big difference. 

This will be last sustainability tip of the week for this term. Look out for more in Term 3! 

Together we will make a difference.  

Have a great and sustainable weekend and term break!