WWU has saved $32,000 and counting in Natural Gas costs during winter 2011-2012
Office of Sustainability, Facilities Management
A multi-strategy energy reduction program, referred to as the 2-Degree Turn Down, is underway at Western. So far the program has saved Western $32,000 this winter with more savings projected in the months ahead.
The 2-Degree turn Down program includes reducing hours that buildings are heated at night and on weekends by setting building thermostats to 68F wherever possible, and circulating "Power Down" reminders to staff, faculty and students via messages sent to departmental contacts in campus offices.
The graph above displays the amount of natural gas saved by the 2-Degree Turn-Down Project. At present, the initiative has saved $32,000 dollars.
Through the partnership between students, faculty, staff and Western Administration, Facilities Management and the Office of Sustainability have achieved a 15% reduction in natural gas consumption this year, compared to the same four-month period in 2010-2011.
Adjusting daytime heating set points to 68F and lengthening the late-night heating setback period began November, 2011. The estimated benefits included a reduction in natural gas and electricity costs in the neighborhood of $42,000 annually. The actual accumulated savings from November, December, January and February total $32,000 with more savings likely in March, April, and May.
Cost savings for the last four months are calculated by comparing total "heating days" rather than total volume of natural gas consumption. Savings calculations include the total number of cold days, along with the actual outdoor temperatures, to estimate how much natural gas will be required to reach an appropriate indoor temperature.
Savings figures also account for fluctuations in natural gas prices. This winter natural gas prices have been approximately 40% lower than last winter. If prices this year had been the same as in 2010-2011, the 68F set-point would have resulted in even greater cost avoidance.
Continued support and participation in campus-wide conservation strategies will help Western reach our 10x12 goal for a 10% reduction in utilities consumption and costs by the end of 2012. The next action goals include a 36% drop in carbon emissions by 2020, followed by a climate-neutral Western in 2050, as described in the President's Climate Action Plan.
For more information please visit the 10x12 Program on Western's Sustainability website: http://www.wwu.edu/sustain/10x12/gas.shtml. 