Secretary urges energy conservation

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

March 2001

Secretary Urges Energy Conservation

The rising costs of natural gas and energy resources in general have been well publicized during the past several months. The annual budget for utilities within the Department of Correction will likely increase unless we take proactive steps to reduce energy consumption.

There are many simple ways staff can make our offices and facilities more energy efficient throughout the year:

Set your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day in heating season. With each degree you lower your thermostat, you can reduce your heating cost by about 5%.

Change or clean furnace filters once a month.

Close vents and doors in unused rooms.

Turn off lights and computers when not in your office.

Keeping blinds shut to keep heat in and cold out in winter and vice versa in the summer.

Opening blinds on the east, south, and west side of buildings during sunny winter days to help warm rooms. The natural light coming in should allow you to turn off or reduce overhead lighting.

Reduce heating and cooling during unoccupied hours.

Take the stairs whenever possible instead of an elevator.

Reduce the number of fluorescent bulbs in overhead lights or reduce wattage of incandescent light bulbs when replacing them.

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