ENERGY STAR® 2024 Battle of the Buildings
October 15–October 30, 2024, residence hall communities at the University of Chicago will compete to conserve as much energy and water as possible!
The winning residence hall, determined by the greatest percent reduction in energy and water usage, gets an engraved trophy to display for the year. The winners will be announced the first week of November on the Office of Sustainability website and in newsletters.
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 goal to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
Competitors
- Burton-Judson Courts
- Campus North Residential Commons
- International House
- Max Palevsky Residential Commons
- Renee Granville-Grossman
- Snell-Hitchcock
- Woodlawn Residential Commons
Defending Champions
Burton-Judson Courts won the electricity conservation award, with a reduction of 26% relative to their own baseline average. International House won the water conservation award, with a reduction of 34% relative to their own baseline average.
View the What Students Can Do To Save Water and Energy poster.
View the 2024 Battle of the Buildings poster.
What Students Can Do to Save Water and Energy
Keep your House/residence hall engaged in energy conservation:
- Vanquish energy vampires! Fnd electronics that use a lot of energy when they are plugged in, even when they are not turned on, like game consoles and printers, and unplug while not in use
- Turn-off unused lighting
- Reach for task lighting
- Use LED lighting
- Report water leaks in restrooms throughout the facility
- 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 that cuts power off when devices are in standby mode
- Enable clean energy phone charging
- Full laundry loads, full dish loads
- Take the stairs
- 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 freezer build up and shut the door 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
- Take shorter showers
- 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.
