Campus energy conservation challenge is on

Tulane Unplugged 2016, an energy conservation competition between residence halls, is taking place on the Tulane University uptown campus Monday (Feb. 22) through March 13. The competition challenges uptown campus residents to see how much they can reduce electricity use during the three-week competition period.

The competition is run by student interns in the Office of Sustainability, with help from volunteer “Energy Advocates” leading energy saving efforts in each residence hall.  

Competitors can monitor their savings on the Tulane Building Dashboard, a new website that shows real-time and cumulative energy use for major campus buildings. It also shows energy use in terms of dollars spent and climate impact. 

“The Building Dashboard makes the costs and environmental impact of energy use more visible and understandable,” says Liz Davey, director of the Office of Sustainability.  

The website shows the competition standings and keeps a running tally of the competition’s total energy savings. Tulane Facilities Management will dedicate the savings from the competition to future campus greening projects.

By making building energy data available to students and faculty, Davey hopes the website will foster sustainability education and research projects. 

The student interns offer these basic tips for everybody to save energy every day. 

• Turn off all lights in your room and common rooms when daylight is sufficient and when you are last to leave the room.

• Set your computer to shut off the monitor when not in use. 

• Anything that is plugged in is still using energy, even if it is turned off. You can cut this waste by unplugging each appliance while not in use. Or plug your printer, speakers, chargers, television and other electronics into a power strip, which you can turn off when not in use.

• Take the stairs — it’s good for your health and the planet.