Two Ohio University students had a bright idea about reducing energy consumption in residence halls ' install energy-efficient light bulbs.
Aaron Lemley, a sophomore from Bromley Hall, and Beth Ellis, a graduate student from Adams Hall, recently requested energy-efficient light bulbs from the Office of Sustainability in conjunction with the ResChallenge energy conservation project.
OU Sustainability Coordinator Sonia Marcus provided each student with 50 compact fluorescent light bulbs to distribute to residents in their respective residence halls in exchange for incandescent light bulbs. The bulbs are used in personal lighting fixtures such as desk lamps. Marcus said her department is able to supply a maximum of 50 bulbs per student request.
The 20-watt compact fluorescent light bulbs have the ability to produce the same amount of light as a 75-watt incandescent bulb, Marcus said.
One compact fluorescent bulb probably saves $20 to $30 over its lifetime
she said. The bulbs not only generate high-quality lighting but also last longer with most having a nine-year warranty.
Lemley distributed the light bulbs along with information about energy conservation and said 50 bulbs were not enough to accommodate Bromley.
There are definitely a lot of people that could still use them Lemley explained. He said that residence hall energy conservation efforts would have a greater impact if more funding and resources were available.
Ellis agreed and said she has noticed a change in residents' energy consumption behavior since the start of the competition but believes more of an effort is needed.
Hall Council can only do so much she said.
Ellis said Adams Hall divided the 50 light bulbs among the building's four floors. She explained that with Adams being such a new residence hall, it's harder for residents to compete in the Residence Challenge because the building is already so energy-efficient.
Harry Wyatt, executive director of Facilities Management, explained that Adams has an interesting balance between energy efficiency and energy consumption.
Adams is certainly a modern building
but it is also built to accommodate more modern energy features and with that comes greater energy usage
Wyatt said.
Wyatt said that residence hall energy efficiency and consumption varies across the board depending on each building and its renovations.
Jneanne Hacker, associate director of Housing, praised the students' conservation efforts.
The new light bulbs are making a huge difference not only in lighting but in energy savings as well
she said.
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Kaitlin Hensel
