ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION GUIDELINES APPROVED BY CABINET
PUBLIC SECTOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION GUIDELINES
ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
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Develop a practical energy efficiency code for implementation in the public sector
Emergency meeting of ministers for orientation on strategies and development of implementation
plans
Emergency meeting of heads of agencies for orientation and development of implementation
plans.
Develop an energy efficiency and conservation roadmap.
Establish benchmarks for energy consumption immediately for every public sector Jamaica Public
Service Company (JPS) account.
Establish targets for the reduction in energy consumption by JPS account and accumulate to a
national plan.
Train the Energy Wardens in MDA’s the Energy Efficiency Methodologies.
Implement a system of monitoring and reporting by EW’s for compliance with standards and
against set targets and reward as well as accountability for non-compliance
Implement monthly assessment meetings with the accountable officers and energy wardens.
Establish machinery / organization for the verification of the effectiveness of the energy initiatives.
Prepare and distribute pamphlets/fliers on energy efficiency.
OFFICE HABITS
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Implement a dress code suitable for tropical climate.
Facilitate telecommuting for officers whose work output is measurable and productivity is not
compromised. This is facilitated by Jamaica’s excellent telecommunication infrastructure and
reduces the need for expensive energy consuming real estate.
Reintroduce flexi-time to reduce commuting by staff.
Utilize electronic mail for communication. The Electronic Transaction Act recognizes electronic
communication. Printing of documents should be done only when absolutely essential.
Use electronic documents instead of printed copies where possible. Reduce the use of multiple
printers, scanners, and copiers; turn off and plug out extra office equipment when not in use.
Save paper.
Scan and use electronic copies rather than photocopies; photocopying should be used when
absolutely essential.
Use stairs when moving between one or two floors. Elevators should be used only when
absolutely necessary and for commuting to 3 or more floors.
Turn off ice machines intermittently.
Turn off and plug out nonessential appliances, like coffee makers, microwaves and toasters
Eliminate fax traffic by scanning and sending documents electronically
Reduce business travel by increasing phone, video, and web conferencing and training
capabilities.
Switch off computer monitors when away from work stations.
Configure all computers to energy-saving mode.
Turn off your computer if away from your desk for more than three hours
Use laptop computers. Laptops use up to 90 per cent less energy than a desktop computer.
LIGHTING
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Many spaces are overlit. Remove excess lighting fittings to optimize lighting levels.
Remove and replace all incandescent lamps (light bulbs) with compact fluorescent or LightEmitting Diode (LED) fittings.
Use controls to reduce lighting power and lighting levels in non-critical areas.
Use ambient lighting to reduce the electric lighting demand.
Optimize lighting levels to international minimum standards.
Turn off decorative lighting and nonessential lighting.
Use desk lamps for localized illumination
Switch lights off when you leave the room.
Ensure that light switches are clearly labelled.
AIR-CONDITIONING
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Set thermostats between 78 and 80 degrees during the day/business hours for occupied zones
and 85 degrees for unoccupied zones.
Close blinds and shades to reduce solar heat infiltration if not at the expense of reduced optimal
lighting levels.
Establish a preventative maintenance programme for ventilation and air conditioning equipment
and systems.
When replacing air conditioning units of five tons or greater, purchase units with a high energy
efficiency ratio (EER) of 10.5 or more to reduce operating costs for the life of the unit.
When old motors fail, replace them with premium efficiency motors that operate at a lower annual
cost..
Install variable speed drives (VSDS) on large motor loads, where appropriate, to further reduce
energy usage.
In facilities with older chillers, consider replacing them with new, energy-efficient units that
operate at or below 60 kilowatts per ton.
In larger facilities with energy management systems (EMS), verify that temperature set points and
operating schedules are correct for the controlled equipment.
All new equipment purchases shall conform to the energy efficiency codes adopted by the Bureau
of Standards.