2022 Battle of the Buildings Residence Hall Energy Competition
In April 2022, the University of Chicago hosted the 2022 Battle of the Buildings Residence Hall Energy Competition! Each residence hall community worked together to save energy and water.
The biggest electricity reduction went to Burton-Judson Courts, with a reduction of 26% relative to their own baseline average. The biggest water reduction went to International House, with a reduction of 34% relative to their own baseline average. Their success was announced on the University website, and in a newsletter, and earned them funding for a party and a de-brief with staff.
Click the links below to view the complete data.
- Renee Granville-Grossman Residential Commons
- Burton-Judson Courts
- Max Palevsky
- Campus North Residential Commons
- International House
- Woodlawn Residential Commons
- Snell/Hitchcock
Energy conservation not only provides financial savings but also reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provides educational opportunities for students and staff. Giving students the opportunity to learn about and engage in energy auditing and conservation practices contributes to the University’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goal.
View the What Students Can Do To Save Water and Energy poster.
What Students Can Do to Save Water and Energy
Keep your House/residence hall engaged in energy conservation:
- Vanquish energy vampires! Use your set of plug-load meters to find electronics that use a lot of energy when they are plugged in, even when they are not turned on.
- Turn-off unused lighting
- Reach for task lighting
- Use LED lighting
- Report water leaks in restrooms or irrigation systems throughout the facility and building grounds
- Enable the ENERGY STAR power management features on your computer and monitor so they go into power save mode when not in use
- Use a Smart Power Strip
- If it’s charged or not in use, take time to unplug
- Report a room that’s too hot or too cold
- Skip the space heater that wastes energy
- Defrost your freezer and shut the quickly and completely
- Adjust your space for the season, cool off with blinds, set ceiling fans counter-clockwise in summer and clockwise in winter
- Turn off the water tap and don’t brush with running water
- Post reminders to conserve energy. Having reminders near light switches and electronics will help people remember to turn off and unplug devices. Students can create their own reminder posters, flyers, note cards, or social media graphics. There are also graphics from the ENERGY STAR program.
Tell your school community about the conservation strategies for Battle of the Buildings on the ENERGYSTAR website. Having your whole community on board is the first step in successfully tackling energy reduction goals.
