Energy Conservation

Goals

• We will work to reduce total and per capita energy consumption on campus.
  
• We will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused or encouraged by Colby on or off campus.
• We will explore alternatives to fossil fuels, as they become feasible.

• Colby purchases electricity from sustainable Maine sources, including   50% from hydropower and 50% from non-waste biomass. To see a press release about   this initiative click here.
• Energy efficient, front-loading washing machines installed across campus allow for larger loads, require less detergent, and save the college $10,000 a year on energy costs and water use.  
• T-8 fluorescent bulbs have been replaced with low mercury T-8 bulbs. These bulbs provide the same level and quality of lighting, but use 40% less power, last 20% longer, contain 66% less mercury (a required component of fluorescent lights), and meet EPA guidelines for non-hazardous waste.  
• A feedwater economizer was installed at the central heating plant, reducing fuel oil consumption by an estimated 100,000 gallons per year by preheating the feedwater.  
• Hockey rink lighting was changed from 400 watt to 320-watt fixtures, reducing power usage while still providing equivalent lighting levels.
• A co-generation turbine creates electricity from steam already generated for heating purposes. It produces an average of 1,700,000-kilowatt hours of electricity annually with savings in excess of $150,000 in reduced power purchases. 
• The College continues to upgrade its energy management system, which controls heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting systems in and around campus buildings. These systems now operate more efficiently and only when needed based on usage and weather conditions. Currently, approximately 73 percent of all residential space is metered for electrical usage.  
• Some classrooms, restrooms and other intermittent use spaces have been equipped with motion sensors so that lights automatically shut off when the rooms are not in use.  
• The fuel oil used to generate steam contains approximately 90 percent less sulfur than the fuel that was burned previously, reducing emissions.  
• A majority of exterior lights are controlled by photoelectric sensors as opposed to timers and are therefore activated based on need and adjust automatically to changes in daylight as seasons change.  
• As part of the renovation of the ice rink, a separate, low-heat room has been constructed to house the Zamboni, removing the need to constantly heat and circulate water through the machine to prevent freezing.
• Some vending machines have been equipped with motion sensors (a.k.a. VendingMisers), so that they power down when not in use. This greatly reduces the amount of electricity used in running the vending machines. Click here for more details.
• Faculty members are formally notified when theirs is the last class in a particular classroom or lab and requested to ensure that lights are turned off and windows closed before the room is vacated.