Energy Efficiency and Conservation
We've all heard about turning off the lights and replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents. But the most important and significant investment anyone can make in energy is in efficiency. Farmhouse is committed to practicing energy conservation while also researching and implementing low-cost techniques that increase energy efficiency in the house, such as weatherization and the use of passive solar technology.
In the early stages, most of our focus will be on our consumption of heat and electricity. And part of being a more responsible consumer is also becoming aware of just how much energy we use on a daily basis. The Farmhouse is currently working with Facilities to monitor energy consumption in the house and make this information more-readily available to the residents. By tracking this data, Farmhouse residents will be challenged to gradually decrease their demand for electricity while increasing efficiency and awareness of energy consumption.
Energy Tracker
Farmhouse has proposed to work with Facilities to implement a system where we can view in real time the energy consumption in the house. Currently, the college unfortunately does not have a way of metering individual buildings on campus, although this kind of metering system would greatly improve their ability to locate energy sinks and spikes on campus and potentially save the college thousands of dollars in energy costs every year.
Until such a campus wide metering system can be installed, we will do our best to remain conscious of our energy use in the house and adopt simple habits such as using more task lighting and natural light where overhead lights are unnecessary, preventing "ghost charging" on small electronics, and thinking ahead about how to cut our house's energy consumption (i.e. group studying, successive showers, cooking together, etc.)
Until such a campus wide metering system can be installed, we will do our best to remain conscious of our energy use in the house and adopt simple habits such as using more task lighting and natural light where overhead lights are unnecessary, preventing "ghost charging" on small electronics, and thinking ahead about how to cut our house's energy consumption (i.e. group studying, successive showers, cooking together, etc.)
Teachable Moment: Energy Sources in PA
U.S. Department of Energy
When we flick a switch, very few of us stop to think about where that energy came from and its true costs to our society, economy, and environment.
In PA, 54% of our electricity is generated by coal, 35% from nuclear, 5% from petroleum, and 4% from natural gas. None of these fuel sources are renewable, nor are they particularly efficient. Take coal for example, which is only about 33% efficient in generating electricity (the rest is lost in processing and transportation). It also inflicts heavy costs on society in health, the economy in jobs, and the environment in mountaintop removal mining and air pollution. Furthermore, many experts claim that up to 75% of the electricity used in America could be saved with efficiency measures that cost less than the electricity itself. Imagine the
impact that would have on global climate change!
In the end, there are many good reasons to become more aware of the cost of energy and the options available to increase our energy conservation and efficiency. Just taking that extra moment to turn off your light when you leave for class or open your shades in the middle of the day can go a long way. At the very least, you'll save (the college) a few bucks at the end of the day, and perhaps your grandkid's futures too.
In PA, 54% of our electricity is generated by coal, 35% from nuclear, 5% from petroleum, and 4% from natural gas. None of these fuel sources are renewable, nor are they particularly efficient. Take coal for example, which is only about 33% efficient in generating electricity (the rest is lost in processing and transportation). It also inflicts heavy costs on society in health, the economy in jobs, and the environment in mountaintop removal mining and air pollution. Furthermore, many experts claim that up to 75% of the electricity used in America could be saved with efficiency measures that cost less than the electricity itself. Imagine the
impact that would have on global climate change!
In the end, there are many good reasons to become more aware of the cost of energy and the options available to increase our energy conservation and efficiency. Just taking that extra moment to turn off your light when you leave for class or open your shades in the middle of the day can go a long way. At the very least, you'll save (the college) a few bucks at the end of the day, and perhaps your grandkid's futures too.