Estates

Energy

Student Switch Off Campaign

In the academic year 2008/09 the Energy Team, Environmental Team and Accommodation Services teamed up to run an energy saving competition, called the Student Switch Off campaign, in some of UWE’s student accommodation.  This includes the Student Village, St. Matts (Elsa Nunn and Bishop Monk), The Hollies and city centre accommodation (Nelson House and Drake House).  The Student Switch Off is a not for profit campaign which is run through a Community Interest Company.  In 2008/09 there were 11 Universities included in the campaign.  Of those 11 universities, UWE made the greatest energy savings, with an overall reduction of 14.9%.  This was a reduction on the previous year (2007/08) and took into account the fact that we had a much colder winter that year.  We remained in the competition last year (2009/10) and again made overall savings, although not as large as we had in the first year.  Last year there were 33 universities included in the campaign.

The competition is running again this year (2010/11), and alongside the competitions and prizes that the Student Switch Off campaign are offering (such as free tickets to the Syndicate club night in Bristol, Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream and energy efficient gadgets), we are also offering our own competitions and prizes, as we have in previous years.  This includes cash incentives for the winning block/flats at the end of the year and other smaller prizes.

The Student Switch Off campaign promotes the small changes that people can make in order to save energy.  Their ideas include;

• Put a lid on your pan when cooking
• Cook together so that the oven/cooker is used less
• When boiling the kettle, only boil the amount you need
• Wear extra layers rather than turning the heating up
• Turn all lights off when leaving your room/flat
• Turn equipment off at the wall when it is not in use (do not leave on standby as this still uses energy)
• Unplug chargers when not in use

Previous Winners

If you are a first year student and want to get involved in the campaign, check whether your accommodation is included in the competition (see above) then join the UWE Eco-Power Rangers Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=22634556505&ref=ts or visit the Student Switch Off website: http://www.studentswitchoff.co.uk.  Also look out for emails/posters from the Accommodation Team which will give further details.

Cotswold 4, winners of the 2008/09 Frenchay Village competition, receiving their cheques!

Winners of the 2009/10 bowling competition from Brecon 5 and The Hollies, Block 2 Flat 103!

Nelson House 111, winners of the 2009/10 city centre competition, receiving their cheques!