This part of my project is based on the information that I gained through my research. According to this research in a typical office building in Eastern Canada, 30, to 40% of energy is consumed by lighting. Commercial and institutional buildings are similar. My following research at school proved this fact as well. From my personal observations I was able to see how much energy we consume by need; also I got a chance to witness how much energy we waste because of negligence.
Before coming up with a solution, as my first step I tried to find out what kind of responsibilities OCAD is taken or planning to take in the future to prevent this waste of energy from lighting. I contacted with plant services and found out what is being done or will be done to save energy from lighting. According to the information I was given;
Lighting at OCAD is retro fitting and OCAD uses energy efficient light bulbs when there is a need for a lighting replacement. These lower wattage light bulbs can save energy up to 15%.
Halogen bulbs, which are energy efficient, are also being used at OCAD. Halogen bulbs use an average of 40% less electricity, and they last two to four times longer then the regular light bulbs.
Fluorescent tubes are commonly used at OCAD. They use 60 to 80 % less energy than incandescent and last 10 to 20 times longer.
It’s very easy to take advantage of daylight to save energy at OCAD since all OCAD buildings has big, wide windows.
Motion sensor lighting system is one of the best way to save energy for buildings like OCAD but unfortunately because of the tight construction budged this system is not being used at OCAD.
Plant services also gave me information about further plans to save energy which is educating users but no plans has been considered yet.
Education of user was a good starting point for me. I wanted to come up with an idea gets people’s attention and get them act immediately. I also aimed to get this part of the project done with no cost. Eventually I created this warning label that approaches the topic with a sense of humor, I believe it will be strong enough to get attention and make users consider about energy savings and act.
I will be placing the poster on the doors in classrooms and washrooms so that people see the warning label before they step out. The person who steps out last sees the this warning label and goes back to the light switch to turn the lights off since it’s not needed anymore.