Energy project saves college €170 a day in electricity

BY DOING things as simple as switching off lights, people can make significant savings in their energy bills, a one-year project at the Institute of Technology (IT), in Tralee, has shown.

The 3,500-student institute has reduced its electricity consumption by more than 22%, as a result of energy-saving project, and is now spending €170 less a day in electricity.

The institute’s estate manager, Donal Hunt, said what they had done could be implemented by anybody.

“It’s all down to having the right attitude,” he stressed.

A lot of energy wastage is the result of people’s failure to switch off appliances and lighting when not in use but, Mr Hunt pointed out, that problem can be overcome by fitting controls such as timers, master switches and motion detectors.

The IT has been using energy efficient light bulbs for more than 15 years and, three years ago, decided to tackle energy wastage in a more concerted way in conjunction with the ESB.

Rapid progress was made with the help of ESB customer supply accounts manager Pat Dromey who pointed out, for example, that Sunday energy consumption was very high even though nobody was on campus.

“One Sunday, we came in to see what was switched on and what we discovered really opened our eyes. Lights and equipment were all on 24/7,” Mr Hunt said.

An action programme was soon put in place, with timer switches being fitted on 18 under-sink water heaters. The timers have since brought about electricity savings of more than €6,000.

Furthermore, motion detectors were fitted in all toilets so that lights switch off when facilities are not in use. Savings of €6,400 resulted.

Master switches fitted to heaters provided savings of €1,800, while fine tuning of the building management system has brought about more efficient use of heating and ventilation and savings worth €20,000.

Overall, the amount of energy saved — 332,000 kilowatts — would be enough to power one house for 65 years.