Turn off overhead lights if daylight is adequate


Problem: Lighting energy uses about 10-20% of laboratory energy. With 20 overhead lamps per lab at 50 W each, that adds up to 1 kW per hour. On a bright day there maybe plenty of light.

Solution: Comfortable lighting levels are a matter of preference and acclimation. If you can work safely and relaxed using natural lighting you will save about 1 kWh in lighting energy, and about the same in cooling energy.

Benefits: Over an eight hour day you may save 8 x 2 kWh x 12 cents = $2, which may not sound like much, but with 700 labs on campus, it starts to add up.

Costs: Be sure to discuss comfortable lighting levels in your research group to find out individual preference. Be safe and courteous to your coworkers, of course.