Once again, members of the Boston College community are asked to play an active role in significantly decreasing campus electricity consumption. These efforts will help the University do its part to increase the reliability of the electical grid.
By lowering campus electricity consumption during peak usage periods, Boston College will help to avoid area power outages, which can be dangerous to at-risk populations such as the elderly, people managing medications that require cooling, and those susceptible to heat-related illness.
On a peak demand day, members of the community will be asked to minimize consumption of electricity as much as possible between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m. In particular, everyone is asked to:
● Close windows;
● Close curtains and blinds;
● Turn off and unplug individual coffee makers, device chargers, printers, copiers and other electronic equipment not in use;
● In offices with thermostats, raise the setting to 75 degrees;
● Turn off office lights;
● Plan ahead for peak days: run large print or copying jobs and charge devices in the morning so the equipment can be turned off if necessary in the afternoon;
● Check unoccupied offices and other spaces to ensure minimal electrical consumption.
"Thanks to everyone in advance for helping with these important efforts. Individual efforts collectively will have a significant impact," said Energy Manager John MacDonald. “Several departments have established 'energy champions' to work with us directly. Members of the community who would like to help out can email me at john.macdonald.2@bc.edu."
To supplement individual efforts, Facilities Management is working behind the scenes to achieve additional campus-wide reductions. For more information, visit BC's grid alert website.
—University Communications