Physical Plant calls to save energy

By Zalfa Feghali---

Almost overnight, stickers bearing messages to save energy had been placed over almost every light switch in AUB. These stickers are part of an energy conservation campaign coordinated by the Physical Plant. While many students are under the impression that AUB is experiencing a power shortage, that is not the case. As Physical Plant Director Ziad Yamut explained, these stickers are part of a two-step campaign to save energy wasted around campus. The first step, according to Yamut, is awareness, without which change cannot be brought about. The purpose of the stickers is to make students and faculty aware of the problem. The next step, he explained, is installation, a good example of which is the presence of motion detectors in Nicely Hall. As soon as the devices detect motion, the air-conditioning system automatically switches on, saving precious energy and power normally unnecessarily wasted. Another plan is to install motion detectors in bathrooms, so that lights automatically turn on when someone enters and turn off when that person leaves. This plan, when fully operational, will at least marginally reduce the amount of wasted power from its current level. "I want to assure people that AUB is not experiencing a power crisis. We are simply trying to manage our power more efficiently," Yamut told Outlook.