[ Email | Share ] Doing its part for the environment, Campus Recreation has altered some aspects of its facility that will save money and energy.
The renovations include new bathroom fixtures in the three indoor facilities to decrease water consumption and installing occupation light sensors on the 12 racquetball and three squash courts to decrease electrical use.
To conserve water, all toilet flush valves in the Activities and Recreation Center, Campus Recreation Center East and the Ice Arena have been retrofitted with dual-flush handles. Faucets in those buildings now combine a motion sensor with a half-gallon aerator to minimize water waste.
Overall, an estimated 6.5 million gallons of water will be saved per year. For academic year 2009-10, that will result in a projected 34 percent reduction in water usage from the previous year.
In addition, 15 light sensors were installed on the racquetball and squash courts, ensuring the lights will only be on when a court is in use. Lights on the courts were retrofitted with a high-performance system and 96 mercury vapor lights were replaced with high efficiency metal halide lamps.
The estimated savings for the lighting project is about 237,771 kWh per year, which will result in savings of about $17,500.
Support from the Student Sustainability Committee helped make the projects possible.