Save energy, save money - tips for colleagues

With energy bills rising sharply, our Sustainability team has compiled some advice to help colleagues save energy and money at home and at work.

Increases to the cost of living will undoubtedly be having an impact on colleagues, financially and emotionally, and the University is highlighting new and existing money-saving initiatives available to staff.

The University’s electricity costs have doubled in 2022/23 compared to last year, while the gas costs are expected to rise at least 10-fold in 2023/24. The University’s overall energy bill is therefore expected to rise from £3m for the last academic year to £11-13m in 2023/24.

Colleagues are therefore asked to do what they can to cut energy use on campus – practices that are equally effective for cutting costs at home.

The Sustainability team will soon be launching a Sustainable Behaviours Programme, engaging with schools and functions to support them in creating a culture of good practice among staff and students to help the planet as well as stretched budgets.

Energy saving tips for home:

• Control your heating. Switching the thermostat down by 1°C can reduce your energy usage by 8%.
• Cook together, wash up together. The costs of cooking separate meals and running more hot water will add up.
• Avoid half loads in washing machines and dishwashers. Wash clothes at 30°C and dry them naturally if you can.
• Use electricity at cheaper times of day, if you’re on a variable tariff, using an online tool created by Reading Built Environment researchers.
• Get a smart meter or take a meter reading every time you get your gas or electricity bill to make sure you’re not being overcharged.
• Check your loft insulation. There should be 27cm of insulation, so take action or speak to your landlord if you have less.
• If you’re renting, ask your landlord for a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate. Only buildings with at least an E efficiency rating can legally be rented, so you can check if yours complies.

Energy-saving tips at work:

• Switch off lights, PCs, monitors, projectors and close windows if you are the last to leave – and remind your colleagues to switch off too! Think about other electrical appliances like hot water boilers that could be switched off when not in use, and turn off lights in the day if there is enough sunlight or in empty parts of offices where possible. Also, Sustainability can provide plug-in timers for your department to schedule equipment on only for the times it is required - contact sustainability@reading.ac.uk

• Report inefficiencies so they can be fixed. Colleagues can be useful eyes and ears on campus. For example someone reporting seeing the lights on in Library on a Sunday night recently led to a fault being identified and resolved. Things like faulty light sensors, water leaks or dripping taps can be reported to estates@reading.ac.uk, while sustainability@reading.ac.uk are always keen to hear suggestions for improvement, or look into issues if you are not sure if they are a fault.
• Get a round in. Make multiple hot drinks at once to reduce wastage, or make sure to only fill the kettle with enough for yourself.
• Be space wise. Think about how space in your building or office is being used and whether any changes could help prevent energy waste. For example, could people move to work together in single rooms at times to prevent heating or light being needed in multiple rooms with low occupation?  Are desks blocking radiators preventing a good flow of air to warm the room?
• Complete the Sustainability training module on UoRLearn.

• Join Doing #UoR Bit – the University’s platform that provides ideas and rewards sustainable behaviour.

• Get involved in the University’s Green Festival. There will be chances to get more energy-saving advice RUSU’s Advice Service and Citizens Advice and a new podcast on how to save money and be more sustainable.