How much do you think Mason spends on energy each year? If you guessed about $10 million, you are correct! So the more energy we save, the more money we have to invest in other university services and benefits.
According to George Mason University’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory, our buildings produce 71% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2005, Mason has worked with Siemens Building Technologies to complete two Energy Savings Performance Contracts to upgrade its buildings to be more energy and water efficient. Highlights of these projects include upgrading our heating and air conditioning equipment, replacing existing lighting with more energy efficient lighting and occupancy sensors, installing low-flow water fixtures, and improving our building automation system to match weather and occupancy schedules. Each year, Mason saves close to $2.5 million from these efforts.
Mason continues to invest in energy efficient lighting and equipment and in 2016, published a university policy on energy. You can also take steps to conserve energy, on and off campus! These include:
- Setting your thermostat settings to 70°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer time. Heating and cooling needs are a building’s largest energy use. Dress appropriately to stay comfortable and ease thermostat use
- If you think the temperature is out of range, please contact Customer Service at 703-993-2525
- Shortening your shower time to reduce the amount of energy necessary to heat up water – or better yet, take a cold shower!
- Washing a full laundry load in cold water
- Purchasing LED light bulbs for task lighting, as LEDs are longer-lasting and use less energy than traditional incandescent and CFL lightbulbs
- Turning off lights when exiting a room
- Switching off all electronics and electrical appliances, as opposed to using standby power