University of Findlay was recently named one of AEP Ohio’s 2020 Energy Efficiency Champion award winners. By continuing to make campus more sustainable, efficient, and green with the Oiler Energy Project (OEP), the University has managed to drastically reduce energy consumption campus-wide. Orion Jones, director of the physical plant, explains that switching out the existing compact florescent lights (CFL’s) with new LED bulbs, modifying heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, and upgrading HVAC systems, the University is able to use less energy in day-to-day functions.
“We converted Bare and Morey,” two of the student residence halls on campus, “to LED lights and January was the first full month that these buildings had LED lights in them,” said Jones. “In that month, we reduced our energy consumption by 22,000 kilowatts which will generate about $25,000 of savings per year just for those buildings alone!” Jones also said that while mechanical upgrades are important, the, “personal and cultural change of how we consume energy,” is also a large factor in energy savings.
With reducing energy consumption being the primary goal of the OEP, Jones gave the following list of simple things everyone can do, on and off campus, to help reduce energy consumption:
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Do not leave coffee pots on.
- If you do not need a mini fridge please do not use one, or unplug it if it is empty.
- Turn off computers regularly.
- Unplug electronics and small appliances whenever possible.
Each year, AEP highlights customers and partners who continuously make a difference in their community with their Energy Efficiency Awards. The awards given include the Energy Efficiency Champion Award which is given based on annual participation in AEP’s energy savings programs.
For more information on how the University of Findlay is making a difference, please contact Natasha Lancaster at lancastern@findlay.edu, and remember to “Love Orange & Live Green”!
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