Energy conservation is not just good for our planet; it also helps to extend the lifespan of our equipment and save on replacement costs.  

Around our facilities, you'll find a variety of Energy Conservation Stickers provided by the University of Oxford Sustainability Team with reminders such as 'Switch Off After Use', 'Do Not Switch Off', and 'Switch Off at the End of the Day' to promote a more mindful approach to energy use. These are placed on a range of appliances and equipment, including fume hoods, where 'Shut the Sash' stickers remind users to reduce the amount of conditioned air that is exhausted, saving energy.

These stickers are also available at the Sharing Table, allowing community members to pick up and place them on equipment and light switches around the department.

While it might seem like everything in the lab needs to be constantly running, this is often not the case. Display lights, wiring, and other seemingly minor aspects of our instruments all consume energy. Additionally, frequently powering equipment on and off can extend its lifespan. Here is a list of common instruments that can usually be safely switched off when not in use:

• 37°C bacterial incubators (shakers or plates)

• Small, large, cold, non-cold centrifuges

• Rotators in or outside the cold room

• Lab or group area microscopes (please follow facility guidelines for other microscopes)

• Table fans/heaters

• Water baths at the bench and in tissue culture rooms

• Heat blocks

• PCR machines (there's no need to hold your samples at 4°C after the PCR reaction; samples will be fine from 12°C to room temperature)

• Gel running equipment (protein, DNA, RNA, etc.)

• White light transilluminators

• Blue light transilluminators

• Stirrers

• Thermomixers (they take just 2 minutes to reach the required temperature)

• Personal computers (PCs/Macs/laptops)

• Ceiling lights (LED lights have a limited lifespan and are costly to replace)

• Tissue culture hoods/Class II cabinets (if you're away from the hood for more than 10 minutes, close the cabinets and turn them off. UV decontamination is unreliable, and the bulbs have a half-life of under 100 hours. Wipe down thoroughly with 70% ethanol before and after each use)

These small actions, when implemented across our community, can lead to substantial energy savings and a significant reduction in our environmental impact. Let's work together to create a more sustainable Dunn School, one switch at a time!