Cleaves, Sara

English

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
Media Relations Administrative Offices
12-6-2007
UNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money,
Emissions
Sara Cleaves
UNH Media Relations
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/news
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has
been accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more
information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Cleaves, Sara, "UNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, Emissions" (2007). UNH Today. 914.
https://scholars.unh.edu/news/914
9/13/17, 11(54 AMUNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, Emissions
Page 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2007/dec/sc06powerdown.cfm.html
 
UNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, Emissions
Contact:  Sara Cleaves 
603-862-0172
UNH University Office of Sustainability
December 6, 2007
Student Waste Watch Challenge, Thanksgiving "Powerdown" Save $52,000; Reduce
CO2 Emissions by 140 Metric Ton Equivalents
DURHAM, NH – University of New Hampshire faculty, staff, and students saved approximately
279,400 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of energy, $52,000 in energy and water costs, and 140 metric
ton equivalents of carbon dioxide emissions through the University’s third Student Energy
Waste Watch Challenge and annual Thanksgiving “powerdown” initiative.
These energy and emissions savings are the equivalent of 326 barrels of oil or not driving 30
passenger cars for one year.
Hunter Hall won the Student Energy Waste Watch Challenge, which rewards the top three
residence halls or apartment complexes that reduce their per capita energy and water
consumption by the largest percentage compared to their building’s average usage from the
past three years during the same time period. Hunter lowered its energy and water
consumption by approximately 27% over its average October/November usage. Randall and
Hitchcock Halls tied for second due to their high water savings. The two halls share a water
system, and combined they saved an average of 71% over their three year baseline water
use. Gibbs Hall won third place, having reduced its energy use per capita by approximately
22%.
By “powering down” – turning off computers, lights, office equipment, and electronics – for
the Thanksgiving holiday break, UNH faculty, staff, and students saved more than 51,800
kwh, more than $7,000 in energy costs, and emissions reductions equivalent to 53 barrels of
oil or not driving five passenger cars for one year. Electronic equipment and appliances can
draw 30 percent of their total energy use even when they are turned off but still plugged in.
“The powerdown campaign built off the momentum and positive energy of the Student Energy
Waste Watch Challenge,” said Tom Kelly, UNH’s chief sustainability officer. “Once again, our
sustainable learning community teaches that by working together we can save energy, lower
energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That is an important lesson for all of our
students as well as faculty and staff.”
In total, all UNH residence halls and apartments saved a combined 227,600 kwh and
1,669,000 gallons of water during the four-week fall Challenge, which ran October 24 to
November 21. These savings translate into $45,000 less in energy and water costs and
emissions the equivalent of 272 barrels of oil or not driving 25 passenger cars for one year.
“Not only is it exciting to see the physical impact of the Challenge on campus in terms of
9/13/17, 11(54 AMUNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, Emissions
Page 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2007/dec/sc06powerdown.cfm.html
carbon reductions and water and energy savings, but I’m most pleased to see students taking
action and getting involved,” said Erin Thesing, a UNH sophomore and president of the
student group that runs the Challenge, the Ecological Advocates. “The ultimate goal of the
Challenge is to promote these positive behavioral changes, which in turn have provided
emissions and cost savings. The Ecological Advocates are pleased with the student action on
campus, as the university promotes a culture of sustainability.”
“It is exciting to see students actively helping reduce energy costs in the residence halls and
apartments. As you can imagine, utility costs are a huge line item on the budget. Our hope is
that students will continue their efforts to make an impact on the entire year,” said David May,
assistant vice president of business affairs, which oversees the department of housing.
The powerdown campaign this year included a relatively new effort by UNH Computing and
Information Services Academic Technology to create an automated Thanksgiving-holiday
specific script that shut down 475 public cluster and departmental computers and restarted
them after the break. The emissions reduction from this simple measure alone is equivalent to
four and half barrels of oil.
“UNH is a national leader as a climate protection campus,” said Taylor Eighmy, interim vice
president for research and chair of the UNH Energy Task Force. “Our conversion to renewable
landfill methane gas to power our on-campus cogeneration plant next winter will make an
immense impact on our carbon footprint. However, we can continue to lead by being energy
smart in how we power down over breaks --- every bit makes a difference.”
UNH is a leader in conserving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and integrating
sustainability throughout its curricula, operations, research, and engagement efforts.
Committed to being a climate protection campus that pursues a sustainable energy future
through emissions reduction policies, practices, research, and education, UNH has earned
several awards for its sustainability initiatives, which range from composting and supporting
local, sustainable agriculture to using compressed natural gas- and biodiesel-powered vehicles
and being the first in the nation to receive an EPA Energy Star building rating for residence
halls. Discover the sustainable learning community at UNH at www.sustainableunh.unh.edu.


UNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, Emissions

UNH Scholars' Repository

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices12-6-2007UNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money,EmissionsSara CleavesUNH Media RelationsFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationCleaves, Sara, "UNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, Emissions" (2007). UNH Today. 914.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/9149/13/17, 11(54 AMUNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, EmissionsPage 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2007/dec/sc06powerdown.cfm.html UNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, EmissionsContact:  Sara Cleaves 603-862-0172UNH University Office of SustainabilityDecember 6, 2007Student Waste Watch Challenge, Thanksgiving "Powerdown" Save $52,000; ReduceCO2 Emissions by 140 Metric Ton EquivalentsDURHAM, NH – University of New Hampshire faculty, staff, and students saved approximately279,400 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of energy, $52,000 in energy and water costs, and 140 metricton equivalents of carbon dioxide emissions through the University’s third Student EnergyWaste Watch Challenge and annual Thanksgiving “powerdown” initiative.These energy and emissions savings are the equivalent of 326 barrels of oil or not driving 30passenger cars for one year.Hunter Hall won the Student Energy Waste Watch Challenge, which rewards the top threeresidence halls or apartment complexes that reduce their per capita energy and waterconsumption by the largest percentage compared to their building’s average usage from thepast three years during the same time period. Hunter lowered its energy and waterconsumption by approximately 27% over its average October/November usage. Randall andHitchcock Halls tied for second due to their high water savings. The two halls share a watersystem, and combined they saved an average of 71% over their three year baseline wateruse. Gibbs Hall won third place, having reduced its energy use per capita by approximately22%.By “powering down” – turning off computers, lights, office equipment, and electronics – forthe Thanksgiving holiday break, UNH faculty, staff, and students saved more than 51,800kwh, more than $7,000 in energy costs, and emissions reductions equivalent to 53 barrels ofoil or not driving five passenger cars for one year. Electronic equipment and appliances candraw 30 percent of their total energy use even when they are turned off but still plugged in.“The powerdown campaign built off the momentum and positive energy of the Student EnergyWaste Watch Challenge,” said Tom Kelly, UNH’s chief sustainability officer. “Once again, oursustainable learning community teaches that by working together we can save energy, lowerenergy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That is an important lesson for all of ourstudents as well as faculty and staff.”In total, all UNH residence halls and apartments saved a combined 227,600 kwh and1,669,000 gallons of water during the four-week fall Challenge, which ran October 24 toNovember 21. These savings translate into $45,000 less in energy and water costs andemissions the equivalent of 272 barrels of oil or not driving 25 passenger cars for one year.“Not only is it exciting to see the physical impact of the Challenge on campus in terms of9/13/17, 11(54 AMUNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, EmissionsPage 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2007/dec/sc06powerdown.cfm.htmlcarbon reductions and water and energy savings, but I’m most pleased to see students takingaction and getting involved,” said Erin Thesing, a UNH sophomore and president of thestudent group that runs the Challenge, the Ecological Advocates. “The ultimate goal of theChallenge is to promote these positive behavioral changes, which in turn have providedemissions and cost savings. The Ecological Advocates are pleased with the student action oncampus, as the university promotes a culture of sustainability.”“It is exciting to see students actively helping reduce energy costs in the residence halls andapartments. As you can imagine, utility costs are a huge line item on the budget. Our hope isthat students will continue their efforts to make an impact on the entire year,” said David May,assistant vice president of business affairs, which oversees the department of housing.The powerdown campaign this year included a relatively new effort by UNH Computing andInformation Services Academic Technology to create an automated Thanksgiving-holidayspecific script that shut down 475 public cluster and departmental computers and restartedthem after the break. The emissions reduction from this simple measure alone is equivalent tofour and half barrels of oil.“UNH is a national leader as a climate protection campus,” said Taylor Eighmy, interim vicepresident for research and chair of the UNH Energy Task Force. “Our conversion to renewablelandfill methane gas to power our on-campus cogeneration plant next winter will make animmense impact on our carbon footprint. However, we can continue to lead by being energysmart in how we power down over breaks --- every bit makes a difference.”UNH is a leader in conserving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and integratingsustainability throughout its curricula, operations, research, and engagement efforts.Committed to being a climate protection campus that pursues a sustainable energy futurethrough emissions reduction policies, practices, research, and education, UNH has earnedseveral awards for its sustainability initiatives, which range from composting and supportinglocal, sustainable agriculture to using compressed natural gas- and biodiesel-powered vehiclesand being the first in the nation to receive an EPA Energy Star building rating for residencehalls. Discover the sustainable learning community at UNH at www.sustainableunh.unh.edu.

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UNH Fall Initiatives Save Energy, Money, Emissions

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