Help conserve energy on campus
Lights are being left on in dorm rooms, using unnecessary amounts of energy. Does the use of light covers reduce the energy bill within the halls? The goal of the project is to lower the cost of energy in halls. The expected outcome is the cost of energy will be reduced in residence halls and on campus by providing students with light switch covers. The top 3 dorms; Ballard, East and South Snarr are at full occupancy with about 300 dorm rooms full and of those dorms an average of $3,500 per month, per dorm which ends up being roughly $45,000 a year spent just for one dorm. We are looking to have students place paper light switch covers on light switches in dorms in hope that the covers will remind them to shut their lights off when leaving their room.
Through research we found that light switch covers reduce usage by 15%. Another study found that covers were unobtrusive when in use and were affective when used. A study done by Sussman and Gifford found that by putting signs up in 15 bathrooms reduced the cost of light bathrooms by $0.93. So it has been proven that the use of light switch covers is affective and will lower cost.
It has been proven that light switch covers will lower cost; now we are reaching out to students to use the provided covers to help conserve energy and lower cost on our campus!
Print poster, cut out hole for light switch or simply hang the poster by the light switch as a reminder!
There will be a table setup in the CMU Thursday, November 20th from 1:30-3:30 pm. Stop by to get a light switch cover, or stop by the Office of Sustainability at anytime!
