College Strives for Energy Efficiency
100 YEARS OF THE TRIPOD - Feb. 5, 1980
Megan White
Issue date: 4/5/05 Section: Historic Pieces
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Thomas A. Smith, Vice President of the College, recently issued a memorandum concerning energy conservation to all members of the faculty and administration. Stating that the College's success in attempting to reduce energy consumption has been good, Smith acknowledged that because "future reduction may not be so great and because prices will continue to rise, the voluntary efforts of all of us are evermore significant in continued efforts to eliminate waste in campus buildings."
The Vice President called for the Trinity community to turn manual thermostats to their lowest levels in areas that are not occupied for periods longer than a few hours, and to make sure that thermostats are set at lowest levels overnight. Exterior doors and windows should be tightly closed, lights turned out in areas already reasonably well-illuminated by daylight, hot water use should be minimized, and electric equipment turned off when not in use.
Smith noted that most sections of the campus, both old and new, were not constructed with energy conservation in mind, and that as a result, it would be impossible to achieve similar heating and lighting standards for all buildings, or even within a single building. In general, however, Smith stated that an attempt was being made to hold building temperatures to 65 degrees F.
In calling for all individuals to be "alert to conditions or situations anywhere on campus that seem to be energy wasteful," Smith stated that such situations, if located, would be reported to the Office of Buildings and Grounds. In areas where heat loss could be cut by use of polyethelene sheets, Smith asks that occupants call Buildings and Grounds for materials and assistance in application, if necessary.
The Trinity campus contains approximately 1,322,000 square feet of building space, 77% of which is serviced with light by the electric substation near Ferris, and 74% of which is heated through the central heating plant.
In data pertaining only to this substation and central heating plant, between the years of 1970 and 1979, a 16.9 reduction in average annual kilowatt usage was reported, as well as a 31% reduction in average monthly consumption of oil. To be considered is the fact that approximately 80,000 square feet, in the form of the addition to the Library and the new South Campus Dormitory, were added to the utility system in the fall of 1979. In January 1970, one gallon of fuel oil cost $0.049, whereas the cost in January 1980 is $0.771, over sixteen times as great. Thus, reduction in the use of energy has had no significant impact on the College's total expenditure for it.
The Vice President called for the Trinity community to turn manual thermostats to their lowest levels in areas that are not occupied for periods longer than a few hours, and to make sure that thermostats are set at lowest levels overnight. Exterior doors and windows should be tightly closed, lights turned out in areas already reasonably well-illuminated by daylight, hot water use should be minimized, and electric equipment turned off when not in use.
Smith noted that most sections of the campus, both old and new, were not constructed with energy conservation in mind, and that as a result, it would be impossible to achieve similar heating and lighting standards for all buildings, or even within a single building. In general, however, Smith stated that an attempt was being made to hold building temperatures to 65 degrees F.
In calling for all individuals to be "alert to conditions or situations anywhere on campus that seem to be energy wasteful," Smith stated that such situations, if located, would be reported to the Office of Buildings and Grounds. In areas where heat loss could be cut by use of polyethelene sheets, Smith asks that occupants call Buildings and Grounds for materials and assistance in application, if necessary.
The Trinity campus contains approximately 1,322,000 square feet of building space, 77% of which is serviced with light by the electric substation near Ferris, and 74% of which is heated through the central heating plant.
In data pertaining only to this substation and central heating plant, between the years of 1970 and 1979, a 16.9 reduction in average annual kilowatt usage was reported, as well as a 31% reduction in average monthly consumption of oil. To be considered is the fact that approximately 80,000 square feet, in the form of the addition to the Library and the new South Campus Dormitory, were added to the utility system in the fall of 1979. In January 1970, one gallon of fuel oil cost $0.049, whereas the cost in January 1980 is $0.771, over sixteen times as great. Thus, reduction in the use of energy has had no significant impact on the College's total expenditure for it.
