OVERVIEW

Project abstract: Beginning in 2007, students have organized an electricity competition in undergraduate dormitories. Baseline levels of electricity use per capita are measured for all dorms, then dorms compete over the course of 8 weeks for who can reduce per capita electricity consumption the most. Dorm coordinators promote different saving techniques in their dorms and keep the residents updated on the emerging results. The winning dorm gets $10,000 in energy-efficiency retrofits for their dorm.

Contact: Tim Grejtak (grejtak@mit.edu)

Website: http://energymap.mit.edu/dorm

Current status: planning is underway for the competition in 2009

DETAILS

Funding sources:

  • MIT Housing provides the $10,000 for energy efficient retrofits
  • MIT Energy Initiative Student Campus Energy Project Fund provided $750

Data sources:

  • MIT Facilities staff collects data manually on a weekly basis from dorm electricity meters

Documentation: None currently available

Recommendations for future work:

  • Continue the annual competition

IMPACT

Number of students involved:

  • Spring 2008: 20
  • Spring 2007: 20

Campus footprint:

  • 261,414 kWh of electricity saved in spring of 2008

Other impact:

  • New lighting and occupancy sensors have been installed in McCormick, the winning dorm from 2007

LESSONS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS

Organizational lessons:

Technical lessons: