As evidence and anxiety about climate change continues to increase, many are beginning to wonder how much we have to sacrifice in order to maintain a habitable planet. Lawmakers and international panels will have an influence on the result, but it will be imagination and commitment of our generation that will ultimately decide this level of expense (see the Student Sustainability Task Force report at http://blogger.rpi.edu/sustainability/). Still, as important as technological and policy solutions are, there are currently many things that individuals can do without making major sacrifices that will reduce the strain on our planet. For those on Freshman Hill, this low-hanging fruit will help lead its hall to victory in the EcoHall Challenge.
The EcoHall Challenge, sponsored by the Residence Hall Association and EcoLogic, is a competition between Nason, Hall, Crockett, Bray, Barton, and Cary halls to see who can use the least amount of energy per capita. The winning hall will not only receive an ice cream party, but bragging rights for the entire year. So what is the key to victory?
The first step is the most obvious: turn off the lights! Be aware of how much light is really needed, and use individual desk lamps or natural light instead of turning on room lights. Be sure to turn off lights in common areas, halls, and bathrooms when you leave. It’s amazing how often lighting is used when it is unnecessary. Check it out for yourself; go down the hallway or into the lounge and see how often overhead lighting is on and window blinds are closed. Just reversing this trend for a month significantly reduces the energy use of a residence hall. Making it a habit for life will ultimately lower our community’s ecological footprint, and you may find that you soon develop a “sixth sense” for spotting unnecessary lighting.
Another way to trim excess energy use is to turn off power strips at night and when at class. Unplug all desktop computers, TVs, VCRs, and gaming systems when not in use. A Nintendo Wii draws roughly eight watts even when it is off. Turning off a laptop’s display while it is running cuts its energy usage by up to a third and putting it to sleep reduces its consumption to almost zero. A standard Lenovo laptop uses about 30 watts to run a screen saver, comparable to the energy use of a lightbulb, and according to a Natural Resources Defense Council report, “On average, about 20 percent more AC energy is required to operate a computer in battery mode and then recharge it, compared to simply leaving it plugged in.”
Other major factors in a hall’s energy usage include washers, dryers, refrigerators, and air conditioners. To increase the efficiency of dryers, set them on low or medium heat when possible, do not overload them, and make sure the lint trap is clear. The high-tech solar powered clothes dryer—a clothes line—is even more efficient! Consolidating or eliminating mini fridges can also have a tremendous impact; given their popularity in dormitory life, this single step might ensure victory.
Since the start of the EcoHall Challenge, the five freshman residence halls have reduced their energy usage, saving more than 16,000 kilowatt-hours, which is roughly equivalent to reducing the carbon dioxide emissions by 13,000 pounds or using 6.8 fewer tons of coal. The battle isn’t over yet, so take it to the next level and bring home the gold! Check out http://ecohallrpi.com/ for weekly updates on hall standings.
