University of Delaware Facilities, Real Estate and Auxiliary Services (FREAS) is working hard to keep the campus safe, clean and secure during this extraordinary semester. In an average year, FREAS keeps buildings running smoothly, creates or renovates hundreds of spaces, cleans, repairs and maintains our beautiful campus.

“As we lean into the challenges of the pandemic, FREAS is asking the University community for help,” Michelle Bennett, sustainability manager, said. “Many of our buildings are partially occupied; daily actions that take a minute or less can reduce resource waste, costs and pollution.“

If you are on campus this semester, please stay safe and healthy. Then, consider these common sense actions to help UD stay lean and green:

1. Wherever appropriate, turn off everything when you leave a room. Lights, projectors, equipment, computer screens, etc. Not every room has light switches available, but electronics can be shut down to stop “vampire energy” (yes that’s its real name). Please note that hallway and stairwell lighting usually stays on for safety purposes. In most buildings these light switches are not accessible to custodians or building users.
2. Lab fume hoods are one of the top energy hogs on campus. In labs, follow safety protocols and close fume hoods when they’re not being actively used. Don’t leave inactive experiments on the bench or in the fume hood for storage; safety first!
3. Close windows before you leave, especially in air-conditioned buildings. Make sure exterior doors close when entering and exiting a building.
4. Maintenance issue? Email fixit@udel.edu with details and the exact location.

These quick and easy actions make a huge difference. Looking at energy waste on campus, these are top contenders that building occupants can control. Later this semester, FREAS will post UDaily articles about campuswide projects to reduce energy and resource consumption. In the meantime, please help UD weather this storm.

“Stay safe and healthy; together we’ll overcome COVID-19,” Bennett said.

For details about how the University of Delaware has reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions since 2008, visit www.udel.edu/sustainability/documents.