Energy Efficiency at WKCTC | WKCTC

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Energy Efficiency at WKCTC

The first WKCTC Energy Report by Energy Systems Group (ESG) estimates a cost savings from January 2017 to December 2017 of $555,525 using a baseline of 2014 from utilities of electric, gas, water and sewer. Energy audits at WKCTC and other KCTCS colleges were initiated in 2014 as part of a multi-year grant to reduce energy usage. Energy monitors were installed in buildings in 2014, and some of the following energy saving improvements were installed in 2015:

  • Light fixtures replaced with LED throughout campus
  • Occupancy sensors which turn off lights after 10 minutes of no motion
  • New boilers in Carson, Hawes Gym, MLRC and Rosenthal
  • New chiller in Anderson Technical Building and Crounse Hall
  • Wrapping pipes, replacing equipment belts
  • Door seals, joint repairs
  • Window film
  • Utility set-backs, reduced hours and buildings in summer

ESG Group is adding film on windows to conserve energy, please note that using tape of any type to hang items on windows will break down the film cover.

A student research project in 2015 used a device called Kill-A-Watt® to measure energy usage of devices plugged into it in kwh units. We tested a power supply with a Dell computer and monitor. For one week, we left the computer and monitor on full time. And for one week, we turned off the power at night and on weekends. Kwh usage for the week (167 hours) was 2.58 kwh ($0.34) for the machine turned on full time and 1.84 kwh ($0.24) for the machine that was turned off on nights and weekends.

We estimate that if all computers and monitors are powered down at the end of each day and on weekends, we would have a savings of $8,958.24 in one year's time. This amount was based on an estimate of 1,750 computers and monitors for 365 days.

At WKCTC, we are invested in not only saving cost, but doing what's best for the planet and the environment. Sustainable development is about "meeting the needs of present and future generations while substantially reducing poverty and conserving the planet's life support systems." — National Science Foundation