Early monitoring shows energy usage cut by more than half after the Clinton School completed a $270,000 stimulus-funded energy retrofit project at historic Sturgis Hall.
Renovations were completed in early October and early monitoring shows energy usage down by over 60 percent in October and November compared to last year.
A monitor showing real-time energy readings compared to last year is on display in the lobby of the building along with a graph that shows month-to-month total energy usage. Dials show up-to-the-minute information about energy consumption.
The project included installing new HVAC and lighting controls and additional attic insulation, among other measures, to increase energy efficiency. Low-flow toilets and motion sensor faucets were installed in bathrooms to decrease water usage.
The school has now begun an evaluation process in hopes of receiving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. If approved, the building would be the oldest college building in the world to receive LEED certification under the Existing Buildings Rating System for operations and maintenance.
“As a school of public service, it’s important for us to set a good example when it comes to being good stewards of the environment,” said Clinton School Dean Skip Rutherford. “A LEED rating would be something that we would be very proud of and that we could certainly use as another recruiting tool for our program.”