Plan the shutdown, capture the savings: smarter energy use during holiday breaks

Holiday breaks represent one of the largest, and most frequently missed, energy-saving opportunities of the year. Buildings sit partially or fully unoccupied for days or weeks, yet HVAC systems, lighting, plug loads, and schedules often continue operating as if nothing has changed.

This webinar walks through how to prepare facilities for planned breaks such as winter holidays, academic recesses, or extended shutdowns. Participants will learn how to align HVAC schedules, temperature setpoints, lighting controls, and building automation systems with actual occupancy, rather than default calendars. The session highlights common pitfalls such as overrides left in place, systems restarting too early, or buildings forgotten altogether.

The discussion also emphasizes coordination across teams. Facilities, energy, custodial, IT, and security all play a role in successful shutdowns and restarts. Attendees will learn how to use checklists, communication plans, and utility data to ensure savings are captured and operations resume smoothly. Real-world examples demonstrate how even small adjustments during holiday breaks can produce outsized savings.

The key takeaway is simple: holiday breaks don’t save energy automatically—planning does. With the right preparation, organizations can reduce waste, lower utility costs, and build repeatable processes that deliver savings year after year.