Seasonal Shutdown Office Challenge

By shutting down or unplugging energy consuming devices over extended breaks, staff can make big impacts on energy consumption at RRC Polytech. All they need to do is complete our simple shutdown checklist to be entered to win a catered coffee break.

The Seasonal Shutdown Office Challenge happens twice a year:

Winter Break: All staff offices are invited to participate in this challenge every December.
Summer Break: Academic offices that close for the summer are invited to participate every Spring.

Watch our blog and All Staff News for details on each campaign.

How it Works

During the campaign period, simply recruit your colleagues to help, fill out and submit the shutdown checklist (one per office) to be entered to win a prize. It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

DISPOSE OF PERISHABLES
Remove perishables and clean fridges.
TURN OFF ELECTRONICS & UNPLUG APPLIANCES NOT IN USE
Where it is safe and possible to do so. Please leave printers ON, they’ll go into energy saving mode on their own.
TURN OFF LIGHTS

Shutdown Tips

Lab equipment: Identify equipment that can be safely turned off, unplugged, or placed in standby mode over the break.
Don’t forget to turn off lights and shutdown projectors and AV equipment in any meeting rooms or classrooms that you use.
Do a department walk-through to ensure valuables are secured and cabinets are locked.
Activate alarms if applicable before you leave.
Set yourself a reminder to remember to do your seasonal shutdown checklist before you leave.
Set yourself a reminder for when you return from holidays to plug needed items in or turn them on.
Don’t forget to water plants and feed and water vermicomposting worms!

FAQ

Does it really make a difference?

You might think that the few items in your office aren’t going to make much of a difference, but consider this: we estimate that 42% of the College’s electrical costs come from a combination of powering lights and items that are powered by means of an ordinary AC plug.

In 2018, we conducted a College-wide plug load inventory of staff offices and common areas. We found that in the more than 5,550 spaces, there were over 3,300 electronic items (i.e. computers, monitors, speakers, etc.), over 700 appliances (refrigerators, microwaves, etc.) and 450 light switches. All of these things have the potential for unnecessary energy consumption, either through leaving items and lights on, or standby (phantom) power that many electronic items draw even when turned off.

What are the prizes?

Offices that participate will be eligible to win 1 of 3 catered coffee breaks for their team.

Will the heating in my building be adjusted during Seasonal Shutdown?

During the Winter Seasonal Shutdown, the College’s major building systems will run in “Un-Occupied Mode”, which means lower temperatures and, in most cases, minimal ventilation.

During the Summer Seasonal Shutdown, offices that have access to a thermostat are encouraged to turn the temperature up to 25C (78F) to help reduce energy needed for cooling over the summer. Please don’t turn your thermostat higher than this since it may adversely affect other occupied areas.

Our academic office has some staff who work over the summer, can we still participate?

Yes, you can! Just complete the items that work for your office. Also, consider sharing items like appliances with other offices so you can still unplug some over the summer.

Who can I contact if I have additional questions?

For additional questions, contact Whitney at wcrooks@rrc.ca.

Sustainability