Water and Energy Efficeincy
Energy Efficiency Fixtures and Fittings on Campus
UWS installs energy efficient devices in building upgrades when ever possible. This includes solar passive design elements as well as a move to more energy efficient devices.
External Lighting Projects around UWS are saving on energy, including:
- Renewal of the lighting controls from Time to PEcel
- Installed more energy efficient lights
- Replacement of halogen lights fitting with LED lights
Our previous lighting was equal to 1850 watts. Our new installed lighting is equal to 410 watts. This is a saving of 1440 watts of energy per external light - this is equal to using your hair dyer on the highest setting for 10 minutes (consumption from OEH, 2011).
Future energy saving projects include the implementation of more LED lights and energy efficient lights fitting to save even more energy. For more information contact Capital Works and Facilities.
Find out more about Energy Efficiency on Campus or Carbon at UWS
Energy Efficiency Matters Project
The project, funded by the Office of Environment & Heritage NSW as part of their Energy Efficiency Training Program, represents a significant contribution to the development of skills to support business in the transition towards a low carbon future. The program helps practicing accountants and managers wrestle energy costs and boost business efficiencies.
As the UWS 'Energy Efficiency Matters' project leader, Anne Abraham was presented with an award from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, recognising the outstanding environmental achievements of businesses in Western Sydney.
Water Efficient Fixtures and Fittings on Campus
Water efficient fixtures and fittings such as taps, basins and toilets are installed across UWS by Capital Works and Facilities. These have a 4 to 5 star water efficiency labelling scheme (WELS) rating (does not include residences). It's simple – the more stars on the water rating label, the less water that product will use and the more we save.
By 2021, Australians could save more than one billion dollars through reduced water and energy bills by simply choosing more efficient products. By 2021 it is estimated by WELS that using water efficient products will help to:
- reduce domestic water use by more than 100,000 megalitres each year
- save more than 800,000 megalitres - more water than Sydney Harbour
- reduce total greenhouse gas output by 400,000 tonnes each year - equivalent to taking 90,000 cars off the road each year
Over 33% water savings will come from more efficient showers, about 34 per cent from washing machines and 23 per cent from toilets and urinals. By choosing to use more water-efficient products at the university, we are saving water and reduce associated water and energy bills. For more details on the project contact Capital Works and Facilities.
The Hawkesbury Water Recycling Scheme
Did you know that UWS has the capacity to recycle 700,000 kilolitres of water per year through the Hawkesbury Water Recycling Scheme (PDF, 171.87 KB) (opens in a new window). That's equivalent to 350 olympic sized swimming pools.
The recycled storm water and effluent is safe for use across Hawkesbury campus for irrigation and saves 1000's of litres potable water being wasted each year.
Find out more about Water at UWS
