Efficiency-wise, things are looking brighter in the residence halls. On the evening of Sunday August 28th, student volunteers once again went door-to-door in their dorms, switching out inefficient incandescent light bulbs for Compact Fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).
The effort was led by the Sustainability Commissioners, who, along with fellow students, distributed over 1,500 bulbs. The result: over 180,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions will be avoided each year that the bulbs last. CFLs are 75% more efficient than incandescents and last about 7 years with typical dorm room use.
“The CFL Exchange is a great kick-off to the ND green movement for this upcoming academic year,” said Keough Sustainability Commissioner Michael Comuniello. “Not only is this an opportunity to reduce energy consumption in Keough, but it’s also an opportunity to get to know other Roo’s and to promote actions which will benefit the environment.”
The CFL Exchange is an annual event that has taken place each Fall since 2008. This year’s exchange placed the total number of bulbs replaced at almost 9,000 and the accumulated energy savings at over $40,000. The CFLs are purchased by the Office of Sustainability through the Green Loan Fund, a $2 million revolving fund established by the University to support energy and resource conservation projects.