Take Action: Campus Energy Checklist

UC Davis staff and faculty are encouraged to use this checklist every day in campus offices and labs. It is particularly important to follow these directions during weekends, holidays and other extended absences.


In your personal space

• Turn off your computer, monitor, speakers, printer, and other computer peripherals.
• Unplug your unused devices, including phone chargers, AC power adapters, radios, space heaters and other small electronics. (If you use a power strip, simply turn off the power strip.)
• Turn off the lights.
• Adjust your shades. Drop and tilt your blinds to manage heat loss.

In labs

• Switch off all equipment that is not in use, such as water baths, ovens, empty incubators, lasers, vacuum pumps, shakers, chilled centrifuges, ovens, GCs etc.
• Close fume hood sashes. This is critical! A single fume hood running 24 hours can use as much energy as a single family home. 

In common areas

The last person to leave should:

• Turn off copiers.
• Unplug paper shredders, televisions, coffeemakers, radios, microwave ovens, and other small appliances.
• Turn off lights in conference rooms, storage areas and restrooms.

A longer checklist of energy saving tips is available from the U.S. Department of Energy.