Yeah ++1
Even such apparently simple things as motion-sensors for lights in corridors and common areas can make a HUGE difference as, even with CFLs in all corridor and public area lights, they are still usually left on all night for "security" reasons.
I recently ausited a community facility that had several strips of fluorescent lighting on 24/7 "for security" and we calculated it was adding a couple of hundred dollars to their bill each quarter. They had motion sensor operated floodlights outside and a burglar alarm (with both trips and motion sensors) installed.
These lights were about 15% of their bill each quarter, so turning them off was a no brainer that cost nothing to do.
They also had a constant demand HWS which was on 24/7. We guess-timated they'd save another $50 per quarter by only turning it on as part of their daily usage and occupation systems - on at start, off at finish - and this was another no-brainer that cost nothing to implement.
Removing the dryers and replacing them with undercover clothes lines, even if it means each studnet room has to be supplied with a small folding rack as well, would still save hundreds of dollars per annum.
People who are "time poor" [or think they are] tend to use dryers more. No dryers, no cost. Or put the price up so as to make it an uneconomic choice. 20c per minute perhaps.
Rental relief or some other reward mechanism would also benefit those willing to try using less in their rooms.
Many young people, used to "mum and dad" paying the bills have never been forced to be responsible about their consumption patterns, so this would be a GOOD thing to instill in young people.
It might even be worth calling for volunteers for a "trial" of an 'in-room' meter, such as an efegy or similar, which records and displays and sends data to be collected and collated. Some education brochures or leaflets and a drawn up, signed "Contract" to attempt to use less, with the rewards spelled out in the contract, would also assist with this trial program.
If trials prove successful, then the (admittedly expensive) efegy or similar data recorder/display device could be rolled out across the entire building, with rewards for different levels of achievement.
Just watch out for the late night smarties with the extenson cord from the the coommon area or corridor power plugs running their heaters or computers......
Students will be students...!!!
It might even be worth approaching the marketing faculty to get some free asistance with writing and designing brochures etc. Make it a 'group project' for a class???
Also, get electrical engineering students (esp if you have an envir engineering faculty or school) and see if one of the lecturers wants to run a research project to identify consumption patterns and-or actual consumption. Suggest using a trial sample of college students, again ask for volunteers and give them an incentive.
Why spend $10 grand hiring an expert when you have free experts on campus??? Sure, it's "easier" just to hire someone, but you wan tto "educate" the campus and the students, better if it's done 'in-house' so mor epeople get involved and perhaps ideas will spread...
Posted Tuesday 14 Dec 2010 @ 6:33:23 am from IP
# 
