LIGHTS
- Compact fluorescent lamps, instead of incandescent lamps.
- Fluorescent lamps with color rendering indices (CRIs) of at least 80.
- T-8 direct/indirect or parabolic fluorescent lighting with electronic ballasts.
- Windows or skylights for daylight, with ways to control excessive light and/or glare. Read more about daylighting.
- Fixtures aligned parallel to windows.
- Light emitting diode (LED) or self-illuminescent exit signs.
- Turn them off when you're not around, and let windows provide light where possible.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR® fluorescent bulbs.
- Use LED lamps in exit signs instead of incandescents.
- Reduce use of overhead lighting where possible and use task lighting instead.
- Replace T-12 fixtures with T-8s and electronic ballasts.
- Replace mercury vapor lights in gyms and outdoors with metal halide or T8/T5 high output fluorescents.
- Install occupancy sensors to shut off lights when rooms are not in use.
HEATING & COOLING
- Make sure doors and windows have tight seals. Keep them closed when running your air conditioning system.
- Turn off fans when the building is unoccupied.
- Install ENERGY STAR programmable thermostats and locking covers to prevent tampering.
- Limit after-school activity locations to as few heating/cooling zones as possible and minimize system use in the rest of the building.
- Check equipment regularly (burners, coils, air filters, ducts, etc.) for proper operation and maintenance needs.
- Use ENERGY STAR roofing material with high reflectance.
- When replacing heating or cooling systems, choose ENERGY STAR equipment.
EQUIPMENT
- Turn off printers, copiers, coffee machine, etc., at the end of the day, and turn off desk lamps when not in use.
- Activate "sleep" mode on computers.
Download a Project Profile of an energy eficiency project on a college campus (PDF)
