Please don’t blank us! If you use projectors you can help save energy

Please don’t blank us!

Did you know the blanking function on a lamped projector uses the same amount of energy as using the projector as normal? Blanking a projector simply drops a shutter down in front of the lamp to block any light from reaching the screen, giving the impression that the projector has switched off when, in reality, it is still fully powered up. If this is left on overnight, it can waste enough energy to power and LED TV for 6 weeks!

You can help prevent this by ensuring that you shut down your projector at the end of your lecture or your meeting. Additionally, you can tell if a projector has been blanked by checking to see if any light can be seen coming from behind the lens protector. If you see this, simply check the panel, ‘unblank’ it and turn it off. Drawing a blank? Use our up to date AV guide to help you shut down the various projectors across the University.

By helping, you will be supporting the University’s behaviour change campaign ‘Think, Act, Save’ designed to demonstrate that small changes can make a big difference. Approximately 30% of our overall energy consumption occurs overnight and at weekends, with your help, we can reduce this value and make a positive environmental difference.