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Travel mugs and thermos flasks - the way to go!

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Travel mugs and thermos flasks - the way to go!

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I boil my kettle once in the morning for a cup of tea at home and use the remaining water in a travel mug, reusing the tea bag. Two hours later I have an extra hot cup of tea for no extra cost!

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- Insulation
- Window replacements
- Low carbon energy source, eg heat pumps
- Sensors to minimise energy use in empty rooms
- Lower the temperature of radiators

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I installed solar panels in 2015 and have generated nearly three times what I have used since. I am just buying a battery and aim to only use what I generate each day.

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I am already vegetarian, but going to introduce 2 vegan meal using local and organic produce every day

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We need an estate team that is part of Sussex and is looking after buildings properly. Better insulation, things fixed in timely manner before getting worse.

Use of desktops need to be revisited with people working from home and bringing laptops to work. Double use of energy is unnecessary.
More light sensors to limit lights being on when no-one is around.

Develop and use more sustainable energy like heat pumps, wind turbines and solar panels.

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Wearing more layers at home and in the office where the heating still hasn't been turned on...Using fan heaters is clearly not going in the right direction and a better insulation of the buildings would be much more efficient.
Trying to cook everything I need in the oven once a day instead of using it several times a day. Batch cooking also helps.
Warming the house with a wood burner instead of turning the heating on and using the lights to a minimum.

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Perhaps we could have a scheme to plant trees for air miles flown.

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We have bought Oodies to keep us warm in the evenings so that we don't need to switch the heating on as much. They are a lifesaver and super snuggly.

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Draft proofing and minimising energy usage

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Draft proofing and minimising energy usage

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We have draught proofed our single glazed sash windows which has made a huge difference to how often we turn the heating on.

We will ensure that all plugs are switched off when not in use and will only turn the heating on when it is really needed. We will do this by adding extra layers of clothing before switching the heating on.

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I am trying (and most times succeeding) to do the following:
1. Closing any open windows or switching off lights/data projectors in Essex House as I leave each day.
2. As I don't eat meat - I'm limiting my dairy consumption to one portion a day (hard choice between cheese and chocolate)
3. Taking every opportunity to support teaching and research activities within the school (e.g. Forest Food Garden).
4. Committing to slow travel this summer by taking a train to Greece.
5. I'm unsubscribing from any unnecessary email subscriptions personal and professional mailing lists, emptying mailboxes where possible and encouraging all faculty and professional services to limit email use to reduce carbon footprint
5. Campaigning and welcoming a positive commitment from Estates to replace all windows in Essex House which are a significant source of heat loss and wasted energy.

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Every evening when I leave the office I check to see if I am the last to go and if I am I turn-off all the lights. It only takes a few minutes but I know it makes a difference. If others are working late then I encourage them to 'turn-off' the lights before they head off. We do this at home so let's do this in the work place!

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This is such an important campaign, and the Seize the Switch energy saving tips are great!  For example, I will turn down the thermostat at home, make sure that lights are switched off in all communal spaces when leaving them at work, and switch off/unplug devices at night.  Thank you for these easy-to-follow tips!

Robin Banerjee
Head of the School of Psychology

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I have solar panels installed, and will ensure appliances are run whenever the sun is shining.  I have turned the thermostat down to 16, and will wear jumpers, overshirts and long johns to stay warm.

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We are adding layers of clothing and turning down the thermostat to try to save energy (and carbon!).

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I've turned the thermostat down and started wearing extra layers of jumpers.

I'm also awaiting installation of solar panels, the installers are currently finding them hard to obtain.

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It's frustrating that we have so few people in our buildings but we are often fully heating and lighting them. Perhaps we can all be more honest about how much space we actually need and if necessary have difficult conversations about changing our expectations around that.

Whilst there is more that Estates can do to provide more sophisticated controls to reduce the amount of wasted energy, if we all behave more responsibly we can make a bigger difference more quickly.

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One of the biggest contributors to the University's carbon emissions is procurement. We all need to be mindful of what we buy and where we buy it from. The University can do more to inform colleagues of the benefits of sustainable procurement, and also the downside of not being careful around how we purchase.

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My heated blanket keeps me warm without having to heat the whole house.

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I will upgrade the fabric of my home including windows, doors and insulation.

I will take greater care around when the heating and hot water is on, reducing the run time wherever possible.

Chris Harrison

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Default Veganism options in cafes and restaurants   

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Default Veganism options in cafes and restaurants   

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Making food options to a default of plant based options will reduces the carbon footprint on campus, whilst reducing waste and encouraging a healthier diet. This will only be a default therefore if people wish to eat meat or dairy they have the option to ask for a different option but it is proven people do not wish to deviate from the norm.

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Tax free staff loans for improving home energy efficiency? (e/g. windows/insulation/heat pumps/solar)

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Tax free staff loans for improving home energy efficiency? (e/g. windows/insulation/heat pumps/solar)

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Is something along the lines of childcare vouchers/ cycle to work feasible?

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Try programming washing machines/dryers/electric vehicles etc to run/charge overnight. The cheapest off-peak electricity rates are generally between 11pm and 7am (although this may vary) and some energy firms are even paying you to use energy at off-peak times.

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Visible turbines and solar panels both directly impact energy use and are a visual reminder in the built environment to commitments.

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Heating could be turned on later in the year on campus - all the old radiators which cannot be turned down in the rooms could be brought down a bit - and lights could be on timers. The corridor lights are on all night in many of the academic buildings.

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I will cycle, turn off the lights, eat vegetarian and avoid turning on the heating 

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I will cycle, turn off the lights, eat vegetarian and avoid turning on the heating 

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Cycle to work

Turn off the lights in the main buildings when I leave work.

At home - using a heated blanket enables more localised heating - and much less use of central systems.

We are also looking at a collective loan for solar on the block of flats where i live.

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I am working with PS directors to come up with a more granular approach to how we reach net zero. First quarter next year we hope to be making more announcements with ambitious plans. Allan Spencer Director of Finance

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The team are currently looking at proposals to see what we can bring forward- watch this space in early 2023. Allan Spencer

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More advice on minimising device power usage and office energy use

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More advice on minimising device power usage and office energy use

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Lots of people would like to help and we could give more guidance on how to act in an energy conscious way on campus. Allan Spencer

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Ventilating rooms while the heating is off

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Ventilating rooms while the heating is off

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Fresh air is good but loses heat fast in winter. We make sure that ventilation is mainly during the time we have the heating off so the heat doesn't disappear. Allan Spencer Director of Finance

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I'm investigating improving loft insulation which is old and thin. A deeper layer will keep the heat in and reduce energy bills. We are also switching hot water off if we don't need it, turning the thermostat down on the heating and shortening the hours it is on. Allan Spence, Director of Finance

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4 student computers level 2 Bramber always on. 

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4 student computers level 2 Bramber always on. 

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Hi I work in housing in Bramber House Level 2. There are 4 student computers in the foyer above the coop that are always on 24/7 and never have a screensaver or automatic switch off. Also I have never seen anyone use them . Can they have a 5 min auto dim or switch off or use them elsewhere?

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Putting on one more layer (jumper / cardigan) before turning up the thermostat in the evening. Jayne

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Having installed Solar Panels to my roof, I will be ensuring domestic appliances are run during periods of solar generation. Also switching to a slow cooker to prepare the main meal of the day. Jayne

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This is all very good however in Arts B (and this might be the case elsewhere) my office is so hot that I have to have my window open as I am unable to turn down, or off, the heating as the system is so antiquated.

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Darren shares one idea to keep your home warm

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I've bought a micro towel to use immediately after a shower before using my fluffy towel and it absorbs approx half a mug of water! I haven't had to use the heated towel rail yet as a result and no more soggy towels around the house.

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I have one of those radiator fans in our living room. It makes a huge difference as it sits on the top of the radiator and gently blows the air towards the central of the room rather than the hot air going up towards the ceiling. I was first skeptical, but it does work!

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The University could be a living lab for experimenting with initiatives that try to change unsustainable ways of doing things - learning from these could be shared with other HEIs to help scale up new practices. Come talk to us at Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium :) - Vicky

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Is there scope to bring back the NUS green impact awards as it was a great way to engage my team in being more sustainable and we still try and maintain some of the principles now?

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Less time sitting at desks and in meeting rooms, more walking meetings

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Provide warm spaces to allow people in energy poverty to access parts of the university estate during quiet times

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Reduces heat loss from properties by keeping moisture out of exterior walls

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Use cold water for handwashing and kitchen cleaning so boiler not firing up so often

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Library should be extended to manage storage, borrowing and lending across the University staff community of tools, garden equipment, electrical items, IT accessories, etc

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Remove all parking from campus (bar loading/blue badge/childcare) 

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Remove all parking from campus (bar loading/blue badge/childcare) 

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We need a radical shift away from private car use to active travel and public transport. The campus is well served by bus, rail & cycle infrastructure. It should not be possible to bring private cars on campus unless there is a special exemption. Schemes offering financial support for public transport and cycling/walking gear should be developed further, along with commuting time allowances to incentivise and help staff in making and sustaining this shift.

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Stop staff from travelling by air within Europe

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Stop staff from travelling by air within Europe

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Allow time and budget for rail alternatives; provide tools to work while travelling

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I'll spend time insulating hot water pipes in my house to reduce heat losses by 70%. I'll also increase the loft insulation to 250mm to reduce heat losses and keep warmth inside the house for longer. I've just insulated the hot water cylinder with an additional 80mm of lagging and noticed immediate benefit. Scott

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Purchase cheap silver reflective insulation material from a DIY shop and tape it to the wall behind your radiators that are fixed to exterior facing walls. The heat that would be lost through the wall is reflected back into the room.

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Make it easier to turn off electric sockets so that power cables don't drain energy overnight etc - for many the only way to do that is to crawl under desks and / or to lift floor panels.

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I would really love to see campus food shops (student shops, etc.) upgrading from open vertical refrigerated display cases to doored one. The doored fridge is on average 1/3 more energy efficient than the undoored one. We would never leave the fridge open at home. It would make sense that we shouldn't do it here either. The upgrade would also likely pay for itself within a few years, winners everywhere - Raphaël Lebrun

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Rejoin the Love to Ride competitions to encourage staff to cycle to work

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Rejoin the Love to Ride competitions to encourage staff to cycle to work

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Sussex used to always be top of the leader board and now we don't have any real participation. Winter Wheelers is coming up. Could someone sign us up again?

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This December (1 - 25), we're on a mission to get more people riding through winter. Why? Riding a bike helps us:

💰 Save money on overall transportation costs

💪 Improve our physical and mental wellbeing

⚡️ Supercharge our immune system

🌳 Reduce our CO2 emissions

😃 Add endless smiles to our miles

To help get more riders conquering the cold, we're holding a prize draw every day and all you have to do to enter is ride your bike. And that's not all: if you encourage someone else to ride you will automatically enter our special encourager prize draw.
Register now

Here's all the essential information:

There will be a prize draw every day from 1 - 25 December

Each day you ride will enter you into the prize draw for that day

Every day that you ride is an additional entry into the grand prize draw on 25 December

If you encourage someone, you enter the encourager prize draw and the more people you encourage, the higher-value prize you can win

The first 200 people to encourage someone each week will automatically win a coffee (aka riding fuel!)

How can I take part?

1️⃣ Register for the challenge - making the commitment to ride means you're more likely to actually do it, plus we'll email you reminders to log your rides in December

2️⃣ Log your December rides on your profile before midnight each day (or connect your Strava to log your rides automatically)

3️⃣ Encourage others by heading to your profile, selecting 'Invite Friends', and copying the link. This is your unique link that you can share with others. Once someone clicks it and logs a ride for Winter Wheelers, you automatically become their encourager!

How can I get more people on their bikes?

To help you rally other riders, we've created a Promo Pack filled with images, pre-written messages and social posts. Share your favourites on WhatsApp, Slack, Email, Teams, morse code, or carrier pigeon and see how many people you can get to join you.
Access the Promo Pack
And if you'd like some help encouraging others, click here to read our top tips for encouraging.

Let's help more people to ride in a winter wonderland!

Register now

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Love to Ride is all about getting more people enjoying and discovering how easy and fun riding a bike can be. Whether you ride all the time, or you're new to riding, join the Love to Ride community, help grow cycling, make our neighborhoods more bike friendly, have some fun with your friends and win some great prizes.

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At the end of the day I am used to going to my Windows PC menu and selecting "shut down" so that my entire PC is switched off.  Here (I'm a new member of staff), I'm literally prevented from doing that.  I have to choose to sign out rather than shut down.  That means the computer is left running, using power needlessly.  I think I might be able to shut down after I've signed out but this is a double step and I think most people forget to do it.  Can't we just have the option to shut down?
Helen Basterra

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Effective Insulating of University buildings

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Effective Insulating of University buildings

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The university can take a more proactive role into looking at how its oldest infrastructures can be effectively upgraded and insulated so as to no longer be large energy sieves. This likely calls for a serious and global audit of the energy efficiency of its buildings and substantial yet necessary financial commitment to upgrade its infrastructures as required - Raphaël Lebrun

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Send guidance to staff with clear instructions re lights - some offices have lights left on overnight and sometimes over the weekend

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Do a windows audit and where possible re: building regs, invest in double glazing. Some offices are extremely draughty with single glazed windows that don't properly shut, leading staff to use electric heaters in addition to radiators

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The University needs to insulate its buildings, it is a waste of money and energy to compensate for heat loss due to poor insulation by increasing heating and a crime against climate change.

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Convert more lights to be infrared/motion triggered so they turn off automatically. Loads of corridors and offices with light switches still.

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Air fryers are great if cooking smaller amounts and means you don't have to turn on the whole oven!

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Why do we heat our foyers and corridors here at Sussex, sometimes to ridiculously high temperatures? The foyer in Chichester 1 is like a sauna!

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Would it be possible to control the temperature in our offices.  We have had to put up with radiators on full and windows wide open because we can't turn the radiators down.

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https://moneysavingboilerchallenge.com/walkthrough/

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The University can invest in more renewable energy such as wind and solar, both of which are abundant year round either singularly or dually. Plenty of rooftops that can provide this benefit.

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Last Winter I programmed my heating's weekly schedule so that it only came on when people were going to be in the house. By tailoring each schedule to each room we were able to heat the home as efficiently as possible.

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I will check windows in offices and meeting rooms are closed at the end of the day - Martha

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I will try and get in contact with the university management team responsible for estate to let them know that a substantial portion of the physics department staff has to sadly resort to leaving their windows wide open because the outdated network of hot water pipes (going to their closed off radiators) are not insulated and are passively heating the rooms to a boiling 25C. - Raphaël Lebrun

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I bought myself a very cosy slanket (hooded fleecy blanket) this year and have not had to turn on the heating or felt cold yet this year as a result - Sam Sustainability Manager

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I will turn my thermostat - when it needs to come on in winter - down 3 degrees from 19 (that it was at last year) to 16 degrees this year - Sam Waugh Sustainability Manager

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I don't have a dryer at home, clothes take forever to dry unless they are close to a heating source. I bought radiator drying racks which helps dry the clothes, but it doesn't block the heat coming out the radiators, which is much more energy efficient. - Pam

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If the university would allow us to turn off our desktop computers overnight and while we're working from home, that would save a considerable amount of energy.