Each year, the University runs its Big Christmas Switch Off campaign to encourage staff and students to turn off all non-essential equipment over the holidays, helping to save energy and reduce cost.
Over the holiday period in 2023, the Switch Off campaign resulted in electricity consumption being 34% lower than a 'typical' nine-day period throughout the year.
How can I get involved?
- Take part by having a look at our checklists for offices, student accommodation, and labs to help you know what to turn off
- Let us know what energy saving actions you're taking this Christmas by pledging on the BetterPoints app for a chance to win a prize
Pledge with BetterPoints to enter the prize draw!
Thank you to everyone who has already pledged. We've had some great ideas for equipment to switch off and energy savings that can be made over the Christmas break. Here are some of the pledges so far if you're struggling for inspiration:
- Laura: "I pledge to switch off all devices in my office for two weeks over Christmas. I also pledge to ensure all the applications in my house are turned off and unplugged whilst everyone's away and that our heating is set to only come on if the temperature drops to 5 degrees!"
- Wik: "I pledge to switch off all my plug sockets at work over Christmas break, and limit my use of heating over Winter ensuring I am covered in blankets and fluffy socks."
- Charley: "I pledge to switch off all non-essential equipment in my lab, all the plug sockets in my office, and all the plug sockets in my flat when I leave for the holidays."
To enter the prize draw, pledge your participation in the Big Christmas Switch Off 2024 (for example, 'I pledge to turn off all the plug sockets in my office over the Christmas break') on the .
To join the pledge you must be registered with the , where you can earn rewards for walking, cycling, and other modes of active and sustainable transport instead of using a car. The app gives you points for every active travel journey which can be spent on gym sessions, shopping vouchers or hot drinks.
If you’re not already registered with the BetterPoints app, and register with your @sheffield.ac.uk email address to enter the prize draw and continue earning rewards for active and sustainable travel throughout the year!
- Prize details
-
1st prize: £50 voucher for the
2nd prize: 20,000 BetterPoints
3rd prize: a £10 91̽»¨ Gift Card
The pledge, and the opportunity to enter the prize draw, is open from 2nd December 2024 until the 20th December 2024.
Checklists
Let's continue our energy savings into the New Year
Our university community is committed to cutting our energy use, with targets to reduce our emissions to net zero. Many of the actions taken during the Big Christmas Switch Off can continue into the New Year, such as:
- switching off all electronics (that you safely can) and lights at the end of the day and over the weekend
- only using what you need - whether that's unplugging your devices when they've finished charging or turning radiators down when the weather is warmer
- lab users can reduce their impact further by supporting the implementation of LEAF across the University (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework)
Save energy at home
You can also save energy and reduce cost at home with these energy saving tips:
- Switch off standby: almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. Standby savers allow you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go to save electricity. by doing this.
- Turn off lights when you're not using them or when you leave a room. Additionally, switching to energy-saving light bulbs reduces energy use and cost.
- Turn down your thermostat: .