Save energy, save resources - switch off before you leave
Posted on Wednesday 3 December 2025
Why is this important?
Our annual utility bill amounts to a staggering £8 million, translating to nearly £22,000 spent each day. To reduce our carbon emissions by 2,900 TCO2e (equivalent to £1 million), we’re committed to cutting energy use. The winter break switch-off campaign is a key part of this effort. Small changes by everyone can have a big impact.
The accommodation checklist
Before leaving your accommodation for the winter break, please remember to:
- Switch off lights
- Close windows
- Set radiator thermostats to frost (turn radiator dial to star setting*)
- Switch off monitors and laptops
- Unplug mobile phone chargers
- Switch off TV completely
- Switch off electrical items
- Switch off any heaters
- Check for other appliances that can be switched off
For lab users
Switching off lab equipment is just as crucial. Where it does not affect safety, risk damage to equipment, or disrupt research, please ensure the following are turned off before you leave:
- Switch off lights
- Close windows
- Switch off computers and monitors
- Switch off ovens
- Switch off centrifuges
- Switch off chromatographs
- Switch off mass spectrometers
- Switch off X-ray machines
- Switch off lasers
- Switch off incubators
- Switch off sterilisers
- Switch off microscopes
- Turn off fume cupboards (if not needed for safety ventilation or research)
- Turn off MRI scanners
- Turn off diffusion pumps
- Turn off reverse osmosis units
- Unplug charging cables
- Assign a member of staff or group to do a final switch-off walk round.
Find out more
Find out more about our Energy Saving Campaign, including how to get involved and how a small change has a big impact. Visit our Lower energy wastage on campus page for more tips.
If you have any questions about the winter switch off please contact sustainability@york.ac.uk.