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The Spectator
Do it in the Dark: An Explanation
by Catie Ferara '11Heag Member
November 06, 2009
HEAG's Do It in the Dark student team would like to thank Hamilton's residential community for its participation in the October 2009 dorm energy battle. The event aims to teach easy and fun methods to reduce the College's carbon footprint through electrical energy savings. The format is still evolving, and we would like to clarify a few common questions and concerns.
As reported earlier this week, Saunders House finished the month with the most significant energy savings (nearly 30 percent reduction), with Wertimer a close second (28 percent reduction). Residents of both buildings reported taking significant behavioral steps to achieve their results –from turning off lights and power strips to doing laundry in another building (the latter perhaps not achieving the intended environmental results, but certainly reflecting a competitive spirit).
Preliminary calculations of overall campus usage, however, show a 2-7 percent overall increase in dormitory energy usage. A few facilities factors likely contributed to this. For example, Bundy East and West are now each home to an additional eight residents each and their energy demands, as former common areas were converted this summer to dorm rooms.
The team from Physical Plant, whose efforts were essential to this event, did an inspection of Major following its result of a 68 percent energy increase. Associate Vice President Steve Bellona reported that Major's wall heating units had been running, which would have contributed to its energy readings.
The primary factor to energy usage, however, is residents' behaviors. During the same inspection, Physical Plant team members noticed open windows in the Major common room. Open windows allow artificial heat to escape and force the indoor thermometers to record falsely-low temperatures and keep the heat running. They also noticed more open windows in Milbank than in Babbitt, which was likely a significant factor in Milbank's 22 percent increase compared to Babbitt's seven percent decrease.
In its third semester, Do It in the Dark is still developing methods to fairly account for non-behavioral energy differences. HEAG would love to hear responses and suggestions for how we can clarify information and improve participation, and you can help by filling out the follow-up survey emailed earlier or emailing heag@hamilton.edu.
Finally, the incentives for energy-saving practices should not end with each dorm energy battle. Everyone's decisions to turn off their lights, do their laundry on the cold/cold ("bright colors") cycle, and take shorter or cooler showers have significant effects on Hamilton's carbon footprint and energy costs. In regards to heating, Physical Plant has an interest in students' opinions. Please contact them at 859-4500 if you have any problems.