By Jody Record, Media Relations

The simple act of unplugging computers and other office equipment during last year’s breaks reaped a savings of about $20,000. So, naturally, the Energy Task Force and the Office of Sustainability wants everyone to follow suit this year.

Right now, students are in the process of “Energy Waste Challenge,” a competition to see which residence hall can reduce its energy and water consumption by the greatest amount. The challenge ends Nov. 23rd when the students powerdown and unplug for the Thanksgiving holiday break.

With the urging of “If the students can do it, so can you,” the Energy Task Force is asking faculty and staff members o take their own challenge to help conserve energy during the vacation.

Remember: plugged in electronic devices still use energy even if they’re turned off. So pull the plug on those electronic devices and appliances or switch off power strips, and contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions equal to that generated by 30 cars.

The campaign is sponsored by the Energy Task Force (http://www.unh.edu/etf/index.html)

which has been charged with:

• Developing immediate and future actions to reduce energy costs and improve energy conservation through technological improvements, increases in efficiency, reductions in waste, and selection of fuels at the Durham campus.
• Inventorying and promoting educational and outreach programs intended to increase awareness of and behaviors around energy use, efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change.

The Energy Task Force is part of the Office of Sustainability's Climate Education Initiative and UNH's commitment to being a Climate Protection Campus.