Energy and Water

The holidays are a time for us all to switch off, unwind and recharge. But while you are taking a much-needed break, don’t forget to give your electronics some downtime too. Shutting down unused devices over the festive period can help you save energy, reduce carbon emissions and save money. With the extended closure from 21 December to January 06, we have a great opportunity to prevent energy waste around the campus and accommodation. Did you know that turning off 1,200 computer monitors for the entire 16 days, rather than leaving them on standby, could save around £2,000? This is…

The Walker Institute has facilitated University of Reading students attending international climate negotiations for many years and this year we were lucky enough to hold a special event during Green Festival lives from the COP (Conference of Parties) 29. This event had insightful inputs from: students that attended the first week of the COP29 conference, students live in the COP (Conference of Parties) Climate Action Studio in Agriculture and with students actually at the conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. The chance to experience international climate conference is a unique experience for them, which they all agreed was incredibly valuable to see…

University of Reading Becomes the First EnCO Aspiring University and Finalist for edie Net Zero Awards The University of Reading has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to sustainability by becoming the first EnCO aspiring university. The Vice-Chancellor has proudly signed the EnCO pledge, reaffirming the institution's dedication to reducing energy consumption and promoting energy efficiency across all areas of campus life. In addition to this achievement, the University has also been nominated as a finalist for the prestigious edie Net Zero Award under the Behaviour Change category, for its 'Our Future First' programme. This recognition highlights the…

Many of you will soon be leaving your halls or student accommodation to go home for the summer and you may have items that you wish to get rid of. We have put together some Green Move Out tips to help you: Use it again and again. Think about whether you can use the item again, do you really need to get rid of it or can you use it for something else? Repair and Mend. If the item is broken, can it be repaired or mended to give it a new lease of life? Rehome, share or donate. Can…

From November 9th, 2023, to March 1st, 2024, the Whiteknights campus embarked on a concerted effort to conserve energy by implementing a lighting switch-off student. The initiative targeted fluorescent lights but included LEDs as well, focusing on areas with high wattage lighting consumers. The student worked from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Monday to Friday, to switch-off after class hours when buildings were typically less occupied.  A total of 21,562 fluorescent bulbs and 5,156 LED bulbs were turned off over the 64 days, which resulted in several thousand pounds worth of energy savings . There were challenges in areas with ongoing activities…

In March 2024 work will begin on the University’s first large scale heat pump retrofit which will see the existing 15-30 year old gas boilers in Sportspark replaced with two air source heat pumps. Last year the University was successfully awarded a grant of £865,000 for the project from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, which is delivered by Salix Finance. Two gas supplies will be removed as part of this project, which will be the first time this has happened in the University’s decarbonisation journey. Planning permission for the project was granted in November 2023 and the…

Plans are underway to enact an Easter heating plan to maximise financial savings and to minimise carbon emissions during the upcoming Easter shutdown. Term ends on 22/03/24 and the University will close fully from 28/03/24 to 02/04/24. The changes in use throughout this time will allow for optimisation of heating hours which will be trimmed in buildings. There will also be focused actions in identified zones within specific buildings such as turning the heating off where it is practically feasible. This approach maximises heating savings from underutilised spaces. The Easter plan has been informed by what was achieved over the…