Energy Conservation
Rockefeller endeavors to reduce consumption of energy, fuel and water whenever possible. For example, recent efforts led to a 50% reduction in light electricity.
Lighting on Campus
- Light fixtures and bulbs have been standardized; fewer types of bulbs are needed, allowing purchasing by bulk and a corresponding reduction in packaging.
- Reflectors have been added to many lights, so lower wattage bulbs can be used to create the same amount of light.
- Motion sensors automatically turn off lights when rooms are empty.
- Use of low-energy compact florescent light bulbs has increased.
- LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used when possible.
Buildings & Machinery
- New piping installed in the chiller plant salvages water from condensation equipment and directs it back to boilers and chillers to be recycled.
- All chillers are tested for leaks at least once a month in order to eliminate refrigerant loss.
- Thermostats are turned down in office areas, hallways, classrooms and lobbies when the university is closed. In some cases, equipment is turned off altogether.
- Thermostats are set closer to outdoor temperatures.
- Every motor and pump (5 horsepower and greater) on campus is on a variable frequency drive so they only run as fast as they need to run at any time.
- A large percentage of air in administrative buildings is recycled so air conditioners do not need to cool outside air.
- Flue gas recirculation is used for the power plant boilers.
- Gas exhaust is burned from the boilers, which reduces nitrous oxide emissions up to 60%.
- Old air conditioners in Faculty House are being replaced with new, Energy Star compliant models.
Did you know...?
Plastic buried deep in landfills can leach harmful chemicals that spread into groundwater.
