Power Down
UBC Okanagan is reducing energy use through simple, sustainable computing practices—like dimming monitors, using sleep mode and powering down devices when not in use. Small changes, when adopted across campus, can make a big impact.
Energy reduction campaigns
Turning off lights and powering down equipment might seem small, but together, these actions have a big impact. Power Down campaigns shine a light on how small shifts in daily habits can lead to meaningful energy savings across campus.
Ongoing:
Cool and Closed is a summer (May to September) energy-saving campaign that encourages the UBC Okanagan community to keep windows closed to prevent HVAC systems from overworking. By reducing unnecessary cooling, the campaign helps the university achieve its climate goals while sharing practical tips for staying comfortable during hot weather.
Cozy and Closed is a winter (October to May) energy-saving campaign at UBC Okanagan that encourages the UBC Okanagan community to keep windows closed to prevent heat loss. By reducing unnecessary heating, the campaign helps the university achieve its climate goals and promotes simple ways to stay warm indoors.
Lights Out / Earth Hour is a campus-wide energy reduction campaign at UBC Okanagan that encourages the community to switch off lights in unoccupied spaces—especially during Earth Hour in March—to raise awareness about energy conservation and demonstrate the collective impact of simple actions.
Seasonal Shutdown is an annual campaign (end of November and December) at UBC Okanagan that encourages the campus community to reduce energy use over the winter break by turning off lights, unplugging equipment, closing windows and fume hoods, and using the Seasonal Shutdown Checklist to support a more energy-efficient campus.
Shut the Sash is a Green Labs program aimed to reduce the significant energy use and emissions associated with fume hood operation. By simply closing the sash when not in use, you can help conserve energy and support a more sustainable lab environment.
For more information, please visit the Green Labs program page.
Previous campaigns:
The Bundle Up campaign at UBC Okanagan promoted energy conservation during colder months by encouraging the campus community to dress warmly and adopt personal heating strategies, reducing reliance on space heaters and supporting the university’s sustainability goals.
Don’t be Wishy Washy was a UBC Okanagan campaign promoting energy-efficient dishwasher use. By running full loads, selecting eco-friendly settings and air-drying dishes, it helped the campus community reduce energy consumption by up to 50 per cent.
Additional recommendations included not overfilling the dishwasher, cleaning it regularly, upgrading to energy-saving models and avoiding use during the hottest part of the day to enhance overall efficiency.
Green Cycle Your Laundry was a UBC Okanagan campaign promoting energy-efficient laundry practices. By washing clothes in cold water, individuals can reduce energy consumption by up to 90 per cent and extend garment lifespan.
Additional recommendations included running full loads, using high spin speeds, air drying when possible and maintaining dryers for optimal performance.
Do It In Cold Water was a six-week pilot campaign at UBC Okanagan’s Nicola Residence, which ran from September to December 2013, aimed at educating students on energy conservation through cold water laundry practices.
Participants achieved a 27.3 per cent reduction in hot water usage, saving over 1,000 litres. The fourth-floor residents led with a 54 per cent decrease.
This initiative demonstrated the effectiveness of simple behavioural changes in promoting sustainability within the campus community.
Unplug and You’ll Save Energy was a UBC Okanagan campaign that highlighted the hidden energy use of plugged-in electronics, even when turned off. By unplugging devices when not in use—especially outside working hours—faculty and staff significantly reduced plug load and support campus-wide energy conservation.
Ugly Sweater Day was a UBC Okanagan initiative that encouraged the campus community to wear their favourite “ugly” or “comfy cozy” sweaters to promote energy conservation during colder months.
By donning warm attire, individuals can comfortably lower indoor temperatures, thereby reducing heating energy consumption.
The campaign aligned with the World Wildlife Fund’s National Sweater Day, which emphasizes that lowering thermostats by two degrees Celsius can significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Cool Campus Challenge was a UBC Okanagan initiative that encouraged students, faculty and staff to reduce energy consumption during the winter season. Participants pledged to adopt simple actions such as layering up in warmer clothing, closing windows, turning down the heat by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius, taking shorter showers, and washing clothes in cold water.
These collective efforts aimed to significantly reduce natural gas use and carbon emissions on campus.
Tips for saving power on campus
Leaving a computer and monitor on continuously can consume approximately $147 worth of electricity annually. To mitigate such energy waste, the Sustainability Office, in collaboration with UBC IT Okanagan, recommends the following actions:
Lowering screen brightness and turning off monitors during short breaks can save energy. Screen savers do not conserve energy; they actually consume power to display images.
Set computers to enter sleep mode after 10 minutes of inactivity or hibernate mode for longer absences. Operating at full capacity, a computer and monitor can draw over 250 watts, whereas sleep mode reduces this to about 15 watts.
Configure computers to “power saver” mode to reduce energy consumption.
Some settings may be restricted by UBC Okanagan’s System Administrator.
Powering down computers at the end of the workday is recommended.
For information on remote access without leaving computers on, contact UBC IT Okanagan.
Turning computers on and off multiple times daily does not use more energy than leaving them on; in fact, shutting down saves more energy.
The Green Labs initiative supports sustainable research by helping campus laboratories reduce waste, cut energy use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Through targeted programs like lab recycling, energy reduction, and best practices in sustainable purchasing, Green Labs empowers researchers to make environmentally responsible choices that support a more sustainable campus.
A 2014 survey revealed that nearly 40 per cent of faculty and staff did not turn off their office computers before leaving work, and 89 per cent frequently used screen savers, indicating a lack of awareness about their energy consumption.
By implementing these energy-efficient behaviours, the UBC Okanagan community can significantly reduce unnecessary energy use and contribute to the university’s sustainability goals.
Collaborations
Reducing energy consumption is a key strategy in lowering UBC Okanagan’s environmental impact. The Sustainability Office works closely with the following campus partners to improve energy efficiency, support low-carbon operations and encourage energy-conscious behaviours across buildings and departments.
The Power Down initiatives are supported through ongoing collaboration with Student Housing and Community Services to engage student residents in campus energy conservation efforts.
Through coordinated outreach and aligned messaging, we help promote energy-saving behaviours in residence communities, supporting a culture of sustainability and climate action among students living on campus.
The Power Down initiatives are supported through ongoing collaboration with Campus Operations and Risk Management staff, including the Energy Team and Facilities Management.
Their operational expertise helps ensure our energy-saving efforts are practical, aligned with building systems and integrated into campus-wide practices. Together, we work to identify opportunities, share data insights and coordinate outreach that supports a more energy-efficient and climate-resilient campus.