Towards reducing power consumption in classrooms and labs: a case study at Middlesex University of Dubai

Energy saving is a common starting place for adopting more sustainable approaches in the workplace. Facility users play a key role in reducing power consumption in such a collaborative environment. This role needs to be governed by well-defined organizational strategies and policy guidelines for sustainability to maximise energy savings. From here, understanding the users behaviours such as users’ awareness on energy consumption, attitudes towards energy conservation, sense of responsibility in the workplace and mindsets towards adjusting behaviour is crucial. In this context, Middlesex University of Dubai (MDX) classrooms and laboratories are examined as the ‘workplace’ for users where substantial amount of energy is consumed.

This paper attempts to examine the users’ behaviours as one of the factors affecting the electrical power consumption in an educational institution. It aims to study the users’ perceptions of energy saving and look into their current practices when using electrical equipment in the classroom and lab. It also investigates the power consumption of selected electrical devices in relation to general use/idle scenarios. Based on the findings, the current university’s strategies and policy guidelines will be revised and gamified opting to improve its energy saving through introducing behaviour change on energy consumption to it's students and staff.