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Greening
of Harrisburg Area Community College: A
Success Story |
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As
part of a Design for the Environment class project at
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) in Harrisburg,
PA, a group of students proposed a plan to "green" the
college by improving its recycling program and by participating
in the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Buildings
Strategy. EPA developed the program in 1991, and many
organizations have saved substantial energy costs. HACC
followed the program guidelines, and realized significant
savings.
Between 20 and 40 percent of HACC's energy was used for
lighting. By switching to energy-efficient lighting, HACC
reduced the amount of energy consumed by lights by 50
to 70 percent. The new lights also reduced glare, maintenance
costs, and the load on cooling systems, since they generated
less heat.
HACC reviewed its equipment to determine if its systems
were operating within design parameters. For the most
part, only small adjustments were needed at this stage,
but would have a more dramatic effect on the scale and
types of upgrades needed in later stages.
Computers, printers, vending machines and copiers all
use energy and generate heat, which increases the need
for air conditioning in the summer. Drafts and excessive
sun from poorly designed windows make students feel uncomfortable
even when the rooms are in the comfortable range. The
use of energy efficient equipment along with "envelope"
technologies reduced HACC's building loads. This in turn
resulted in lower electricity use, as well as heating
and cooling costs, while increasing student comfort.
After implementing the changes above, HACC was then able
to reduce heating, cooling, and fan loads, and to accurately
assess true system loads. It was estimated that HACC would
save between $10 and $100 for every dollar spent in measuring
needs on new equipment. As a result of the changes made,
HACC saved money and also switched to more environmentally
sound practices.
For example, HACC:
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Changed
to a more efficient ballast system in overhead fluorescent
lighting |
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Installed
automatic lighting in restrooms |
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Communicated
with staff to ensure lights in unused classrooms
were turned off |
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Communicated
with staff to ensure lights in unused classrooms
were turned off |
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Switched
to Energy Star compliant computer equipment |
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Switched
to an off-peak electric water heating system |
As a result, HACC received the Energy Star award for efficiency.
The project will not only benefit the environment, but
will improve the comfort of HACC's classrooms and reduce
the institution's operating costs.
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