1. 4B: Reducing Energy and Water Use
Easy Steps that Reduce our Impacts

2. Reducing our energy and water use
You can be an energy and water conservation champion
Our green commercial cleaners are formulated to work effectively in cold water
Do not misuse the dilution machines or containers
Learn which lights and appliances can be turned off
Simple practices extend the life and reduce the energy use of appliances
Report water leaks and broken sensors in sinks, urinals, toilets and other water devices
Intent: The intent of this module is to raise custodian’s awareness of the positive role they can play in helping the city conserve precious energy and water resources
Custodians are often the first and last city staff in facilities and spend the most time looking at facility conditions
You can help reduce our environmental footprint by being aware of unnecessary resource use, such as lights left on or appliances left on.
Check that refrigerator and freeze doors are closed, coffee pots and television monitors are turned off
Periodically check and clean the coils underneath refrigerators
Report plumbing leak and drips immediately
Report malfunctioning sensors on toilets, urinals and faucets
The cleaning products we use are formulated to work effectively in cold water. They will not work differently with hot water.
Do not double pump the dilution machines to increase product concentration or otherwise change the formulations
Microfiber cloths and mops are tools that help conserve water

3. Turn the lights off

4. Turn off television monitors

5. Turn off unused coffee pots

6. Make sure refrigerators and freezers are closed

7. Clean refrigerator and vending machine coils

8. Report dripping faucets

9. Report malfunctioning sensors on faucets, toilets and urinals

10. Clean with cold water

11. Use the dilution stations and dilute properly

12. Microfiber cloths save water

13. Microfiber mops save water

14. Quiz Which of the following are generally safe to turn off?
Unused coffee pots
Television monitors
Computers
a & b
Green cleaning products only work well in hot water: (True or False)
True
False
It is acceptable to alter the dilution system and bottles in the following circumstances:
When you want a stronger cleaning product
You want to mix cleaning chemicals
Because chemistry is fun
It is never appropriate to alter the dilution system or bottles
Correct answers: 1, d
2, b
3, d