University of Tasmania, Australia

Two labs for the north and two labs for the south have been selected to participate in the Shut your Sash challenge. Lab managers can enter this challenge, providing they have a fume cupboard (ideally more than one).

The challenge

The challenge will work as follows:

• 1 August: Provide information on location, number and type (constant volume or variable volume responding to sash height) of fume cupboards.
• Weeks 1-2 (6-17 August): Collect baseline information at random days/times.
• Weeks 3-4 (20-31 August): Actively promote the shutting of sashes and/or the switching off of fume cupboards to reduce fume cupboard exhaust (and associated tempered makeup air where provided); also collect data at random days/times. One point will be awarded when fume cupboards have the appropriate height/status (depending on fume cupboard type and activity) as follows:
  • Variable volume: right height (not in use: less than or equal to 5 cm; in use: less than or equal to 40 cm)
  • Constant volume: on/off (not in use: off or on but sash closed if storing chemicals that need continuous extraction; in use: on)

Prizes

The entrants with the best performance (highest average number of points received per fume hood) and with the largest improvement win. The prizes will be:

• Best performance: $700 (to spend on sustainability initiatives) + hamper with fair-trade goodies (valued $150)
• Largest improvement: $700 (to spend on sustainability initiatives) + hamper with fair-trade goodies (valued $150)
• Other entrants: Master socket power boards.

All University departments are eligible participant in this group challenge. The aim of the Switch Off campaign is to encourage people within the University to switch off and shutdown electrical equipment each evening.

The challenge

During the first week of August, a representative from each participating area will conduct a baseline energy audit. The audit will include computers, screens, heaters, lights and any other electrical equipment that can be switched off for the evening.

Tips, hints and reminders will be circulated during the month to assist people in reducing their overall energy usage.

In the final week of August, a second energy audit will be conducted by the same representative using the same method from week 1.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to participating areas based on the level of improvement in switching off over the month:

• 1st prize - $1350 and a fair-trade hamper valued at $150
• 2nd prize - $900 and a fair-trade hamper valued at $100
• 3rd prize - $450 and a fair-trade hamper valued at $50.

The money is designed to assist in implementing sustainability initiatives of the winners' choice; e.g. rearranging lighting, purchasing a new fridge, installing a billi etc.

To say thank you to sustainability representatives, each area representative will receive an organic local wine and chocolate, or a fair-trade hamper.

The Kill-a-Watt challenge is open to fully metered residental colleges or campus buildings. If you are unsure if your work area is metered, please contact Mark White, Energy Officer.

The challenge

The reduction effort will be measured by a rough savings formula based on historical quarterly information and number of occupants. Non-automatically read meters will need to be read at the start and end of the month.

The winners will be determined by the below formula:

(August kWh / August HDD) / (Average Q3 kWh / Average Q3 HDD)

Where Q3 is the third quarter of previous years. HDD is the heating degree days.

Whichever area has the lowest kWh compared to an historical average wins.

Prizes

Prizes on offer are:

• 1st prize valued at $600 (to spend on sustainability initiatives)
• 2nd prize valued at $400 (to spend on sustainability initiatives)