As the fall semester comes to a close earlier this year and many university employees continue to work remotely, NC State has seized a unique opportunity to save even more energy.

NC State Energy Management will extend the Holiday Energy Savings Initiative (HESI) from Nov. 25 through Jan. 18. The initiative normally begins in late December.

HESI strives to decrease energy consumption on campus by lowering building temperatures and turning off lights and unused equipment. Through these efforts, NC State saved $380,000 in energy costs last year and over $4.5 million since the program’s conception in 2005.

You can help to save energy and reduce your carbon paw print by:

• Turning off non-essential electronics, including scanners, printers and other computer peripherals that won’t be used while you’re away.
• Shutting down your computer as opposed to a sleep state, if compatible with your business processes. If you need to keep your computer on, simply turn off your monitor.
• Turning off all lights in your office and closing any exterior windows and doors.
• Spreading the word about the HESI and encouraging others to participate.

For more energy savings tips, visit the Holiday Energy Savings Initiative website.