Middlebury Warms Up to Cool-Down Idea

Author: Megan O'Keefe

How did the Middlebury students pass all of those long driving hours on the BioBus? Nicholas Benjamin '05.5 and Thomas Hand '05.5 spent part of the cross-country trip discussing environmental initiatives they hoped to start when they returned to Middlebury College. Now that they are back on campus they have launched an ambitious campaign to reduce the College's carbon-dioxide emissions by turning down thermostats across campus.

Taking their cue from a report published by the 2003 Winter Term class ES 010: "The Scientific and Institutional Challenges of Becoming Carbon Neutral," Benjamin and Hand discovered that a small reduction in indoor temperatures during the winter months can yield significant reductions in carbon-dioxide emissions, as well as heating costs. The report, Carbon Neutrality at Middlebury College, explains, "We have found that the easiest way to begin reducing Middlebury's carbon dioxide emissions, while still effecting substantial GHG reductions, is to turn down the thermostats of campus buildings. Even a small change in temperature can greatly decrease the amount of #6 oil burned to heat the buildings."

Hand said, "This is by far the easiest way Middlebury College can reduce its emissions." According to the Carbon Neutrality report, for each degree that one turns down the thermostat, the home saves one percent of heating costs. The students and faculty of ES 010 estimated that "a two-degree decrease in the temperature of buildings heated by the main plant would lead to two percent yearly savings in heating costs. If this were the case, the school would save approximately $30,000-$35,000 per year."

Benjamin and Hand estimate that Middlebury burns about two million gallons of #6 oil per year, so a two percent reduction would mean 40,000 fewer gallons burned per year and 459 tons fewer carbon dioxide equivalents (CDE) emissions.

Middlebury currently has the second highest indoor winter temperatures of any NESCAC school. According to the Carbon neutrality report, "Currently, daytime temperatures at Middlebury are set at 70 F, and nighttime temperatures are set at 65 F." Benjamin and Hand have embraced the recommendation made in the report, advocating lowering daytime temperatures to 68 F while leaving nighttime temperatures at 65 F. While students can adjust the thermostats in their rooms, these temperatures reflect the set temperature at which heat comes on in buildings and dorm rooms.

Taking their plan to Heating Plant Manager Michael Moser, Benjamin and Hand agreed to get student input. "They are worried about people complaining," Hand explained. Moser will consider lowering the daytime temperature by two degrees in any building or on any hallway that agrees. While students can still control temperatures in their rooms, the measure stands to have a large impact on heat use.

Benjamin and Hand have already spoken to residents in parts of Hadley Hall, Gifford Hall, Hepburn Hall and Forest Hall.

They have collected the signatures of 90 Gifford residents in support of the temperature reduction, while 70 residents of Forest Hall have also signed on. Benjamin and Hand have noted that all of the response they have received from students has not just been in agreement with the plan, but has been enthusiastic.

Benjamin and Hand emphasize that student education is also a vital part of the campaign. Students can control heating costs and output by keeping the thermostat set to lower temperatures in their own rooms. Often students crank up the heat during a cold spell, but instead of turning the thermostat down when temperatures rise they open their windows.