Sustainability at Harvard

Harvard Medical School - Energy Conservation

Harvard's New Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal!

GOAL: Reduce GHG emissions by 30 percent (*below 2006 levels) by 2016!

"The goal we seek to achieve by 2016 is an aggressive one, especially in light of the prospective growth of our campus, and extraordinary efforts will be needed to meet it. We have consciously set a high bar for ourselves, in view of the importance and urgency—as well as the difficulty—of the challenge."

—President Drew Faust, Harvard University

Energy conservation at HMS

One of the main goals of the partnership between Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Harvard's Office for Sustainability is to conserve energy at HMS and reduce our contribution to global warming.

Energy & water conservation projects

The following projects utilized the Green Campus Loan Fund.

  • NRB Steam Metering: Installation of real-time steam meters to report usage to building automation system (FY07)
  • Seeley Mudd Lighting Upgrade: Retrofitted the interior lighting to more efficient lighting and occupancy sensors. (FY07)
  • Efficient Motors Installation: Replacement of inefficient motors (FY07)
  • NRB Water Vacuum System Upgrade: Replacement of system to reduce water use (FY07)
  • Armenise Lighting Upgrade: Retrofitted the interior lighting to more efficient lighting and occupancy sensors. (FY06)
  • Steam Pipe Insulation: Blanket insulation of steam pipes (FY06)
  • Warren Alpert Garage Fan Upgrade: Converted the garage fan to operate off of carbon monoxide levels, by installing a variable speed drive and a new single speed motor on the garage fan. (FY06)
  • Photo Processor Water Conversion: Installed water control solenoids, timers, and timer override switches to control photo processor water consumption during non-use periods. (FY06)
  • Courtyard Cafe Air Handler: Modified the air handling system to include variable speed control and night setback during unoccupied periods. (FY06)
  • Water Conservation: Installed a recirculation tank and pump to capture and re-use the water from the Quad’s Lion mouth. (FY06)
  • TMEC Lighting Upgrade: Installed efficient lights and occupancy sensors (FY06)
  • Warren Alpert Lighting Upgrade: Installed more efficient lights and occupancy sensors (FY06)
  • Parking Garage Lighting: Upgraded the lighting system (FY04)

Energy & water conservation tips

  • Set your computer to go into sleep mode.
  • Turn off all computers, lights, and other equipment when not in use.
  • Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer. In the winter, keep your heat set to 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your thermostat set to 85 degrees is a waste of energy and money.
  • Turn your heat down when you go to sleep and when leaving your apartment.
  • Avoid blocking the radiators with furniture.
  • During the heating month(s), you should keep your blinds up during the day to absorb sunlight, and shut the blinds at night to keep the warm air inside.
  • Recycle paper, cans, glass, metal containers, and batteries.
  • Buy/request environmentally preferred products such as recycled paper, Energy Star appliances, and compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
  • Make double-sided copies and minimize printing when possible.
  • Once a week, take the T or bike to work instead of driving.
  • Shut your fume hood sash every time you leave the hood (lab users only).
  • Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.
  • Take shorter showers.
  • Utilize task lighting.
  • Make sure you have CFL bulbs wherever possible.
  • Enable power management, particularly for monitors.
  • Keep computer peripherals off when not in use (printers, speakers, etc.).
  • Become involved in relevant future activities by joining the OFS email list.

Call Operations if....

  • Your faucets are dripping.
  • Your toilet is running.
  • Your room or office is too hot or too cold.
  • You can feel a draft coming in from windows or doors.