Sustainability: Events
Annual Energy Conservation Contest
Beginning in 2008 Fitchburg State University challenged every person on campus to become more green. Inspired by the President’s Climate Commitment, students, faculty, and staff threw down the gauntlet.
The Contest: Reduce electricity use in each building.
Timeframe: February usage compared usage in prior years during the month of February usage.
The Results: In February 2008 Overall electricity consumption was down 1% from the previous years.
- In February 2009 overall electricity consumption was
- In February 2010
The Good: Residence halls consistently save significant percentage and amounts of electricity in 2008. The dorm at 22 Cedar reduced electricity consumption over 35% for the month. Russell reduced usage by 9%, saving the most electricity of any building on campus, a whopping 8800 KwH. In 2009 the biggest percentage change came from Townhouse Apartment at 17%, with Aubuchon Hall producing the most cost savings of more than $600 dollars. In 2010 an analysis os daily use per person showed Aubuchon & Herlihy had the biggest reduction over 2009
No special equipment was installed in the dorms. Students cut usage by being aware: turning off lights and unplugging devices using phantom power like televisions and battery chargers when not in use.
 
The Bad: Increased energy consumption in most academic buildings offset almost all the savings from the residential halls. If the academic buildings had performed as efficiently as the residence halls, the University could have saved $8,000 in electricity costs, or the energy equivalent of 48 barrels of oil, for February 2008 alone. With the 2009 & 2010 contest results continues to be consistent with academic & administrative building showing increases.
 
The Future: As the use of technology increases, electric usage will rise. It takes energy to recharge all those batteries and run all those computers. Education will be a major factor in conserving energy. One reason the dorms did so well was the regular meetings where saving energy was discussed.
As the new Enhanced Energy Monitoring System is implemented we'll have a better, more accurate , and accessible tool to track energy use from all sources, including steam heating and water use. Look for a new challenge in February 2011.
The University plans on sponsoring more contests in the future.
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