College Strives for Energy Efficiency
100 YEARS OF THE TRIPOD - Feb. 5, 1980
Megan White
Issue date: 4/5/05 Section: Historic Pieces
In terms of cost, during the 1972-1973 academic year, the actual expenditure for electricity was $175,000, the cost of all fuels was $185,000, and $17,000 was spent on water and gas. The total budget for that was $9 million, with these expenditures representing approximately 4% of the budget. In comparison, in the 1978-1979 academic year, $298,000 was spent on electricity, $464,000 on all fuels, and $42,000 on water and gas, representing approximately 5% of an annual budget of $15 million. For the current year, $361,000 has been budgeted electricity, $563,000 for oil, and $43,000 for water and gas. Smith is certain that these allotments will be exceeded by a "considerable amount" and predicts that over one million dollars will be expended on energy this year.
Smith noted that the most significant decreases in energy consumption have come through the increased installation of insulation, and the efforts of Building and Grounds to gain direct control over systems. According to Smith a 30% or better reduction in consumption can be brought about when Buildings and Grounds can gain control over an energy system; whereas in areas in which individuals are left to their own devices, only a 20% reduction is experienced.
However, Smith acknowledges that voluntary personal efforts to save heat, such as sealing leaks, closing windows, setting thermostats at 65 degrees F in occupied areas and at 50-55 degrees F in unoccupied areas, and reporting wastes have been helpful. The Vice President commented that he has noticed an increase in energy consciousness among the faculty as well as among the students.
Having inspected Jarvis following the students' departure for the Christmas break, Smith reported that students had closed windows and turned down the heat, and that the building was "much tighter than I had seen it before." Smith does not advocate, however, students turning off lighting in areas where it is needed, since this poses a security risk.
Smith stated that he "feels good about the gains made in energy conservation" and considers that the College has not made many bad judgments in effectively utilizing the money made available through these gains. He attributes this largely to the efforts of Riel Crandall and John Wathne of Buildings and Grounds.
Smith noted that the most significant decreases in energy consumption have come through the increased installation of insulation, and the efforts of Building and Grounds to gain direct control over systems. According to Smith a 30% or better reduction in consumption can be brought about when Buildings and Grounds can gain control over an energy system; whereas in areas in which individuals are left to their own devices, only a 20% reduction is experienced.
However, Smith acknowledges that voluntary personal efforts to save heat, such as sealing leaks, closing windows, setting thermostats at 65 degrees F in occupied areas and at 50-55 degrees F in unoccupied areas, and reporting wastes have been helpful. The Vice President commented that he has noticed an increase in energy consciousness among the faculty as well as among the students.
Having inspected Jarvis following the students' departure for the Christmas break, Smith reported that students had closed windows and turned down the heat, and that the building was "much tighter than I had seen it before." Smith does not advocate, however, students turning off lighting in areas where it is needed, since this poses a security risk.
Smith stated that he "feels good about the gains made in energy conservation" and considers that the College has not made many bad judgments in effectively utilizing the money made available through these gains. He attributes this largely to the efforts of Riel Crandall and John Wathne of Buildings and Grounds.
