Western Kentucky University saves $128,000 with winter-break energy shutdown
Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green saved more than $128,000 in energy costs by carrying out a three-week "hard" shutdown of its campus for winter break. The university says the experiment resulted in an energy reduction of 1,052,932 kilowatt hours of electricity, or 1,112 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The campus, which normally closes for two weeks in December, was shut down for an additional week. During the break, the Department of Facilities Management Energy Management Team set back thermostats in buildings, turned off all lighting except for safety lights, unplugged vending machines and water fountains, and turned off water heaters and all other unnecessary energy draws. Before leaving for the break, faculty and staff were asked to turn off computers, unplug electronics and appliances, and turn off office lights.