Budget Bust Part 4: Little steps, big energy savings
Tyler Will
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: News
According to a document Lamb gave the Cigar, NORESCO estimates the six projects will save URI about million kilowatt-hours, 14,000 gallons of oil and more than 100,000 cubic feet of natural gas.
The measures will save an estimated 10.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to planting 217 acres of trees or removing about 1000 cars from the road, the NORESCO estimate said.
But these costs could be multiplied if students would reduce their own energy consumption.
Assistant Director of Housing and Residential Life Charles Hall said NORESCO built steam traps in Merrow, Tucker, Peck, Hutchinson and Adams residence halls, which regulate the amount of steam that goes into a building.
The new devices allow for more stable, controlled temperatures, and increases efficiency, because the traps, which collect dust, dirt and other debris, can be cleaned very easily. In addition, newer computer systems to regulate the heat in buildings are being installed, Hall said.
Other measures include motion-sensing lights in many residence halls, water efficient showerheads, insulating strips around doors and water-saving toilets that use less water to flush.
And all of this, Lamb said, will come at no cost to students.
"So essentially, the project pays for itself," Lamb said. "We don't do any projects that don't have an overall cash flow. Each project has its own value."
Plouffe said even if HRL is unable to reduce fees for dorm residents, energy saving behavior on behalf of students could reduce the growth rate of those fees. He pointed out that HRL does not make a profit from students, and does not have interim increases, like tuition fees.
Ten minute showers cost the university about $4 million a year, so taking a five minute shower would cut that cost in half, Plouffe said.
He added shorter showers will reduce water usage, and colder showers also reduce energy consumption, because the water doesn't need to be heated as much. In essence, colder and shorter showers save both water and energy.
The measures will save an estimated 10.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to planting 217 acres of trees or removing about 1000 cars from the road, the NORESCO estimate said.
But these costs could be multiplied if students would reduce their own energy consumption.
Assistant Director of Housing and Residential Life Charles Hall said NORESCO built steam traps in Merrow, Tucker, Peck, Hutchinson and Adams residence halls, which regulate the amount of steam that goes into a building.
The new devices allow for more stable, controlled temperatures, and increases efficiency, because the traps, which collect dust, dirt and other debris, can be cleaned very easily. In addition, newer computer systems to regulate the heat in buildings are being installed, Hall said.
Other measures include motion-sensing lights in many residence halls, water efficient showerheads, insulating strips around doors and water-saving toilets that use less water to flush.
And all of this, Lamb said, will come at no cost to students.
"So essentially, the project pays for itself," Lamb said. "We don't do any projects that don't have an overall cash flow. Each project has its own value."
Plouffe said even if HRL is unable to reduce fees for dorm residents, energy saving behavior on behalf of students could reduce the growth rate of those fees. He pointed out that HRL does not make a profit from students, and does not have interim increases, like tuition fees.
Ten minute showers cost the university about $4 million a year, so taking a five minute shower would cut that cost in half, Plouffe said.
He added shorter showers will reduce water usage, and colder showers also reduce energy consumption, because the water doesn't need to be heated as much. In essence, colder and shorter showers save both water and energy.
