Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
September 14, 2001

Energy plan enters fourth month

by Diana Pounds
Energy-conserving activities shaved about $120,000 from the university's August energy bill, said David Miller, director of utilities. That brings total energy savings over the first three months of the fiscal year to $240,000.

"I consider the $240,000 in savings to be a good result; not an excellent result, but a good result. We didn't begin modifying building operations until after July 4 and just completed the last set of buildings the first week of September. In addition, we had extremely hot, humid weather in July that diminished our savings.

"We have to measure our energy-conserving actions in a longer perspective, because in Iowa our weather will always be somewhat unpredictable," Miller added.

The university goal is to save $1.5 million in energy savings this year to help cope with budget cuts.

The energy savings are figured on average monthly energy costs over the previous three years.

"We should look for more opportunities to save and get prepared to convert to winter set points in October," Miller said.

Tips on saving energy and information on Iowa State's energy conservation programs are on the facilities Web site at http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/utilities/energyefficiency.