4.

1 Phase 1: Behavioral Policies

4.1.1 Lighting Policy
1. Automatically turn off lights before leaving the classroom and after working hours.
- Inclusion: Offices, Classrooms
- Whenever the rooms and offices are unoccupied, lighting equipment should be
turned off.
2. Light equipment must be turned off during lunch breaks.
- The United Nation (UN) compound in Bangkok launch an energy saving
campaign, office lights are programmed to switch off during midday breaks. This
small daily action contributes to cutting down around 90 tons of CO2 emissions
each year.
(https://www.unescap.org/sustainability-at-escap/news/its-lunch-time-lets-take-a-
break-from-pollution)
- Inclusion: Offices, Station, Classrooms, Laboratories, Quarters, Kitchen
3. Keep all windows unobstructed and open curtains or blinds fully during daylight
hours to let in maximum natural light throughout the rooms and offices.
- To maximize the natural sunlight, it’s necessary to remove any obstruction from
windows.
- With an access to natural light in workplace, it can be beneficial since it can
reduced eye strain, fewer report of headaches, improved mood, less drowsiness,
and fewer mistakes (Hedge, 2017). Incorporating indoor plants and water features
alongside painting walls in soft, natural hues like green, blue, or yellow creates a
brighter, more reflective environment that promotes calmness and boosts
employee satisfaction.
(https://view.com/sites/default/files/documents/Daylight-in-the-Workplace.pdf)
- When harnessed effectively, natural daylight can cut lighting energy use by 16–
20% and even help moderate heating and cooling demands, all while supporting
occupants’ health. Studies show that daylighting can boost workplace
productivity by up to 18% and improve student learning outcomes by 5–14%. In
addition, access to window views has been linked to 10–25% gains in cognitive
function and memory, and can shorten patient hospital stays by roughly 8.5%
(https://climatechange-summit.org/the-lighting-in-our-homes-matters-and-can-
make-a-difference/)
- Inclusion: Classrooms, Offices, Laboratories
4. Conduct quarterly maintenance on lighting fixtures and equipment.
- Proactive maintenance helps identify and rectify issues before they escalate,
preventing costly repairs and downtime. By keeping lighting well maintained can
improve lighting efficiency and energy by up to 15%.
(https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/efficient-maintenance-existing-
lighting-systems)
- Inclusion: All offices are applicable.

4.1.2. ACU Policy

1. Turn off all air conditioning units when rooms are not in used.
- Inclusion: Offices, Conference Rooms, Bidding Room
- Exceptions: Public Market, Gymnasium, Sports Complex
2. Standard Power, Reduced Duration
- Set a clear and consistent schedule for operating air conditioning units.
- The Memorandum Order No. 686 states that air conditioning shall be turned
on at 8:00 A.M. and shut off at 12:00 noon, to be turned again by 1:00 P.M.
and shut off at exactly 5:00 P.M.
(https://lawphil.net/executive/mo/mo1980/mo_686_1980.html)
- Turn off the air conditioning 30 minutes prior before leaving room or offices.
- It is advised to turn off All AC beyond regular office hours.
- Inclusion: Offices
3. Reduced Consumption, Reduced Duration
- Set ACUs thermostat high and reduce the operating hours.
- An increase in air conditioning temperature even 1°C higher have a
significant impact in energy savings. It is recommended to set air
conditioning at 24°C during normal operating hours.
- Inclusion: Offices, Rooms, Conference Rooms, Bidding Rooms
- Exception: Laboratories
4. Keep the rooms and offices properly isolated from external heat and airflow.
- Secure buildings are properly maintained. The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) state that a well-insulated rooms, attics, and floors for buildings
can save up to 11% on total energy costs.
(https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/
rule_your_attic#:~:text=SAVINGS%20AND%20COMFORT&text=EPA
%20estimates%20that%20homeowners%20can,over%20crawl%20spaces%20and
%20basements.)
- Improving a building’s energy efficiency can be achieved through thermal
insulation. By minimizing the need for heating or cooling to maintain indoor
comfort, insulation helps cut down energy consumption and results in lower
utility costs.
(https://ugreen.io/thermal-insulation-the-cost-effective-way-to-reduce-energy-bills/
#:~:text=Using%20thermal%20insulation%20can%20significantly,savings%20and
%20lower%20energy%20bills.)
- Make sure that damages and cracks are taken care on poorly-insulated
rooms and offices can be a significant factor in energy consumption.
- Inclusion: All buildings applicable.
5. Using spare fans along with air conditioning units in wide areas to enhance
cooling.
- Operating a ceiling fan alongside an air conditioner helps spread cool air more
evenly around the room. While air conditioners cool the air, circulation can be
slow—fans help move the cold air into warmer areas, making cooling more
effective and reducing energy costs. The ACU temperature setting should 24°C to
26°C to maintain the energy efficiency of the unit.
(https://www.allpurposeairconditioning.com.au/air-conditioning-installation/
information/how-to-cool-your-home-faster)
(https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fans-cooling?nrg_redirect=307661)
(https://udit.beeindia.gov.in/bee-raising-ac-setting-by-1-can-save-6-power/
#:~:text=Increasing%20the%20air%2Dconditioner%20temperature,more
%20information%2C%20please%20click%20here.)
- A study done by the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy
(ACEEE) indicates that increasing the thermostat setting by 1°C can save up to 3-
5% on energy bills. Additionally, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating
and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) also suggest an optimal temperature
comfort between 23.5°C and 25.5°C.
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-tips/what-is-the-ideal-ac-
temperature-to-save-electricity-bills/articleshow/109602633.cms)
 - Fans must be turn off for unoccupied rooms.
- Inclusion: Conference Rooms, Classrooms, Function Rooms, Bidding Room.
6. Reinforce the regular maintenance schedule for air conditioning units.
- Through preventive maintenance, the service life can be extended. This
indicates an average savings of 12% to 18% and decreasing ACU units failure.
(https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/effect-maintenance-reducing-energy-consumption-
air-systems-alsaheb/)
- Inspect and clean/replace air filters every 1-2 months to prevent dust build-
up and maintain optimal airflow and cooling performance.
- Keep the air conditioning units away from sunlight. Exposed unit has to
work twice to maintain indoor cooling efficiency,
(https://actionairconditioning.com/hvac-blog/the-importance-of-ac-unit-placement-
and-sun-exposure/)
- Inclusion: Offices, Classrooms.

4.1.3 Other Equipment Policy

1. Computers and Desktop must be in sleep mode if not used and during lunch breaks.
- According to Computer Power Management (CPM), by putting computers into
sleep mode after a period can significantly reduces energy.
- This can be beneficial since less heat output are generated by PCs means fan
work less and save energy. Additionally, restoring the activity session after lunch
breaks takes a few seconds so the employees get back to work immediately and
increase the workplace productivity.
- Inclusion: Offices, Faculty Rooms.
- Exception: Public Market, Gymnasium.
2. Unplugged unused electronics and appliances
- By unplugging unused appliances, you can reduce the vampire power draw and
have significant impact. This vampire power accounts for 10% of an average
energy consumption.
(https://www.neighborly.com/expert-tips/why-you-should-unplug-your-appliances)
- Inclusion: Offices, Rooms, Quarters, Hallways, Kitchen, Computer Laboratories
3. Implementation of regular maintenance for personal computers,desktop, printers,
and scanners.
 - It is essential to keep computers and desktop run efficiently while extending its
service life by conducting a thorough maintenance. According to Sysma
Zafetech, conducting regular maintenance can enhance energy efficiency,
potentially resulting in energy savings as high as 15%. This highlights how
maintenance plays a key role in reducing energy consumption.
- Excessive use of scanners and printers while leaving it idle for long period of
time can have a likelihood to cause damage.
(https://nahil.com.sa/golden-tips-for-maintaining-office-printers/)
- Set scanners and printers to sleep mode after 10 to 15 minutes on
inactivity.
- Inclusion: Offices, Faculty, Rooms
4. Turn off stand fans after class hours.
- Inclusion: CCE

4.1.4 Employees Energy Awareness and Training Policy

1. Raise employees awareness by implementing incentive-based energy conservation
programs.
- A compelling example of incentive-based energy conservation can be found in
Arlington County’s Green Building Incentive Policy (USA), which ties
development incentives to energy performance benchmarks. The program
requires projects to demonstrate at least 14–28% performance improvement over
baseline energy models, depending on the LEED version and certification
pursued. As a result of this performance-driven approach, participating buildings
have reported an average energy savings of 18%, validating the effectiveness of
local government policies in promoting sustainable building practices ([81]
Arlingtonva.us, 2025).
2. Place posters, digital screen reminders, and stickers in common areas.
- Inclusion: All buildings are applicable.
3. Implement weekly micro-learning campaigns
- Microlearning leverages short, focused learning activities typically 2–5 minutes
each to reinforce energy-conservation behaviors continuously. Its easier to
absorb, retain, and apply key energy-saving practices.
- It can retain 80% of information while transferring knowledge by 17%
more efficient in comparison to other methods.
- This can be in a form of energy tip emails, interactive quizzes, short video
clips, and intranet/mobile notification.
(https://unboxedtechnology.com/blog/microlearning-enhancing-learning-
retention-engagement/)
- Inclusion: Offices, Faculty, Laboratories