ESO Energy Saving Guidelines and Tips

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Guidelines

Computers, printers, and monitors consume a significant amount of energy. In cooperation with BU’s energy conservation strategy, ESO has established the following guidelines.

Some of these changes will be implemented automatically by ESO, while others will need to be done manually by users.

  1. Monitors
    • To reduce energy consumption, staff can turn off their monitors when they go to lunch or a meeting, or at the end of each business day.
    • Staff should turn monitors on only when they actually need to use them.
    • ESO will also be implementing configuration changes that will automatically blank monitor screens and put them in a low-power Sleep Mode after 30 minutes of inactivity. Once you move the mouse or hit a key on your keyboard, the monitor will wake up within seconds.
  2. Computers
    • ESO will be implementing configuration changes that will turn the computer hard disk off after 60 minutes of inactivity. Please Note: At this time, we will not be configuring computers to hibernate or go into Standby Mode which also disconnects them temporarily from the network. These modes unfortunately inhibit ESO’s ability to update virus patterns, scan hardware/software inventory, and apply Microsoft Operating System and application patches after hours. In addition, users will not be able to remotely access their desktops.  As a result, we ask that you not turn off your computers at any time.
  3. Printers
    • By default, HP printers deployed by ESO are configured to automatically switch to its PowerSave mode after a fixed period of inactivity in order to conserve energy.
    • To further reduce energy consumption, staff can turn off printers if no one will be using them for an extended period of time such as overnight.
    • Staff should only turn printers back on in the morning when they actually need to use them.

Energy Saving/Green Tips

  • Share and store documents in a folder on the network instead of printing and distributing copies.
  • Make an effort to use less paper in general. Print double–sided whenever possible.
  • Do not print out copies of documents or e-mail them as attachments unless necessary.
  • Review your document on the screen instead of printing a draft.
  • Turn off lights if you’ll be gone for more than 10-30 minutes.
  • If possible, avoid the use of portable electric space heaters unless there is a temporary malfunction of the primary HVAC system. Call Facilities Management if rooms are too hot or too cold.
  • Reduce elevator use by taking stairs if going one floor up or two floors down. Elevator motors require high amounts of electrical energy, and walking provides good exercise.
  • Try not to use lights when there’s good daylight.

Current Initiatives

  • New computers and flat panel monitors are currently being deployed to update the oldest systems in our unit. These new computers and monitors are very energy efficient and come with the highest ENERGRY STAR rating currently available.
  • The server room has now been updated with an occupancy sensing light switch. It saves energy by automatically turning off the lights when no one is the server room. The light turns back on when someone enters.
  • ESO is working with Admissions to establish an online drop-box for the various weekly reports they provide.
  • The successful implementation of the Admissions OnBase document imaging system will save the University from printing over 1.5 million pieces of paper each year.
  • ESO has an independent cooling system for our network server room, which allows the building HVAC system to run more efficiently and to have the temperature set back over nights and weekends.
  • Most desktop computers in the unit have been upgraded to more energy efficient models.
  • Most CRT monitors in the unit have been upgraded to flat-panel monitors, which consume less energy.
  • The Office of the University Registrar (OUR), Financial Assistance, and Admissions all use In-bound Fax Routing technology configured on the Canon multi-function copiers to convert and route faxes to an Exchange mailbox as a PDF/TIFF file instead of printing from the fax machine.
  • OUR currently uses scanners to convert paper transcript and verification requests into electronic files for easier storing and retrieval.
  • Network servers are never turned off. However, the monitors on the servers are rarely needed and are turned off when not in use.

Future Initiatives

  • ESO will evaluate software that will allow staff to convert any document into a PDF file for electronic sharing instead of printing copies for distribution.
  • ESO will evaluate the potential of Wake-on-LAN (WoL) technology which will allow Network Operations staff to remotely turn on computers for maintenance and support purposes that are either turned off, hibernating, or in standby mode.
  • ESO will analyze the feasibility of replacing all remaining CRT computer monitors with more energy-efficient flat panel monitors as well as all older computers with more energy-efficient models.