Horizons Online Edition

Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Craig Dobbs One of RC2 missions is to make sure there is no excess power used at night.

The Resource Conservation Coalition finds unique and innovative ways for the campus to reduce its spending on utilities and help the environment by conserving.

"We try to help the campus reduce their consumption," said Barb Munderloh RC2 co-chair. RC2's goal is to reduce utility consumption by four percent a year for a total of sixteen percent over the next four years.

Last year the Coalition did a lighting retrofit of the Thumb Butte Residence Halls. RC2 changed the old T-12 light bulbs to newer, more energy-efficient T-8 light bulbs. The total cost of this project was $12,500. As a result of this change the University saves over $8,000 annually. Even though the initial cost is high, it will only take ten months for the lights to pay for themselves.

RC2 installed occupancy light sensors in offices and buildings, including the entire flight line. The Coalition also installed waterless urinals in the DLC and a low-flow rinse nozzle in the cafeteria for the dishes. The IT department programmed all of the computers to shut off at night, and all the faculty computers have the Energy Star energy saver activated.

Currently RC2 has many new energy consumption improvements planned. The program is going to apply the light retrofitting that worked so well at Thumbe Butte to the Activity Center, Eagle Gym, and Wrestling Room by replacing the old 400 watt high bay lights with more efficient T-5 fluorescent fixtures. The savings due to these replacements will be a total of over $5,000 annually; the estimated cost of the project is just under $9,500.

RC2 installed moisture sensors on the baseball field, soccer field, and practice field to help save water during monsoon season. The Coalition is also re-landscaping areas with turf that is not used with drought resistant plants native to Arizona, which will be on a drip system. One of the areas scheduled to be re-landscaped is the old main entrance to the University.

The boiler in hall three was replaced and with it came a controller that monitors water consumption and only heats the water when it is needed. RC2 has made it a rule that whenever a boiler is replaced, a boiler control will be installed with that boiler. The program is also planning on upgrading all of the vending machines to energy star, or installing motion sensor lights.

The Coalition is made up of four groups: Compliance Action, Education/Publicity, Measurement, and Projects and Alternate Energy. The Compliance Action Group increases the campus awareness and adherence to conservation practices. The Education/Publicity Group raises awareness and encourages the campus to be environmentally friendly. The Measurement Group tracks utility expenses and meter reading data for the campus. The Projects and Alternate Energy Group finds and assesses new ways to conserve energy.

RC2 is mostly run by faculty and staff currently, but is trying to get more students to participate. There are two student chair positions available. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings which are held on the third Tuesday of every month in the lower hangar conference room from four to six in the afternoon.

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