An Evaluation of UNC Student Energy An Evaluation of UNC Student Energy Use: Recommendations to Reduce Use: Recommendations to Reduce the University’s Carbon Emissionsthe University’s Carbon Emissions

Erika KupattBen ScandellaCharlie Waters

ENST 698 Spring 2008 Capstone

BackgroundBackground Chapel Hill and UNC pledged to reduce COChapel Hill and UNC pledged to reduce CO22

emissions by 60% by 2050.emissions by 60% by 2050. UNC annually produces 340,000 metric tons UNC annually produces 340,000 metric tons

of COof CO22.. All 28,000 students must help the university All 28,000 students must help the university

in reducing carbon emissions by 60% or in reducing carbon emissions by 60% or 204,000 metric tons of CO204,000 metric tons of CO22..

The SurveyThe Survey Administered the survey Administered the survey

online; gained access to online; gained access to entire student body.entire student body.

Gathered info about Gathered info about students’ energy-use students’ energy-use behavior and their behavior and their willingness to change.willingness to change.

Analyzed data from first Analyzed data from first 400 students who 400 students who completed survey.completed survey.

Respondent ProfileRespondent Profile

Our Survey:Our Survey: 71% female71% female 67% off campus67% off campus 2% Greek2% Greek

UNC: 59% female 56% off campus 9% Greek

Provide Power Strips in Dorms Provide Power Strips in Dorms Phantom loads are Phantom loads are

major wastes of major wastes of energy.energy.

Educate students Educate students about phantom load.about phantom load.

Annual savings: $21,000 and 160 metric tons of CO2

Increase Local Foods in Dining Increase Local Foods in Dining HallsHalls

Average food item travels Average food item travels 1500 mi. 1500 mi.

Food heavily dependent on Food heavily dependent on fertilizers and industrial fertilizers and industrial machinery. machinery.

Local farms reduce fossil fuel Local farms reduce fossil fuel use.use.

CDS has made progress with help of FLO Food.

Future Improvements: More communication Increased convenience Campus farm

Promote Reusable Beverage Promote Reusable Beverage ContainersContainers

Sell reusable mugs; offer Sell reusable mugs; offer discounts on beverages and hand discounts on beverages and hand out coupons.out coupons.

72% of respondents willing to pay 72% of respondents willing to pay at least $5 for a mug.at least $5 for a mug.

This would reduce associated This would reduce associated emissions and waste.emissions and waste.

Reduce Hot Water Use In Showers Reduce Hot Water Use In Showers #1: Take shorter showers#1: Take shorter showers Avg. student shower length: 11.4 minAvg. student shower length: 11.4 min 38% of students in dorms willing to take 38% of students in dorms willing to take

shorter showersshorter showers Install shower timersInstall shower timers Implement an educational campaignImplement an educational campaign

#2: Install low flow showerheads 66% of students in dorms willing to use low-flow

Annual savings: $1,083,000 and 1,640 metric tons of CO2

#3: Increase solar thermal panels Panels provide 40%-60% of hot water for Morrison

Provide Drying Racks and Clothes Provide Drying Racks and Clothes LinesLines

Dryers use 1.8-5 Dryers use 1.8-5 kWh/hkWh/h

57% of UNC students 57% of UNC students only use dryersonly use dryers

Annual Savings: $43,000 Annual Savings: $43,000 and 350 metric tons COand 350 metric tons CO22

Increase RecyclingIncrease Recycling UNC recycled 43% of solid waste in 2006-2007UNC recycled 43% of solid waste in 2006-2007 Fiber recycling saved $846,000 and over 10,000 Fiber recycling saved $846,000 and over 10,000 kWh in 2006-2007kWh in 2006-2007 59% on campus and 68% off campus always 59% on campus and 68% off campus always recyclerecycle Educate about what’s recyclable and improve Educate about what’s recyclable and improve accessibilityaccessibility

Currently, UNC students each recycle an average of 222 pounds of fiber per yearAnnual Savings: Annual Savings: $92,000 and 770 $92,000 and 770 metric tons COmetric tons CO22

Encourage Thermostat AdjustmentEncourage Thermostat Adjustment

Average summer temp was 74˚F for off-Average summer temp was 74˚F for off-campus and 69˚ for on-campus studentscampus and 69˚ for on-campus students

Average winter temperature was 68˚F for bothAverage winter temperature was 68˚F for both Students on Students on

campus adjust campus adjust thermostats thermostats when they leave when they leave far less far less frequently than frequently than those off campusthose off campus

Increase Student Energy FeeIncrease Student Energy Fee

$4 current semester $4 current semester feefee

Used for solar hot Used for solar hot water system in water system in MorrisonMorrison

Raise and diversify feeRaise and diversify fee Annual Gain: $224,000 Annual Gain: $224,000

Expand Energy Efficient Lighting Expand Energy Efficient Lighting

CFLs 75% more CFLs 75% more efficient. efficient.

UNC has goal of UNC has goal of replacing all lights with replacing all lights with energy efficient bulbs energy efficient bulbs by 2010by 2010

Give out CFLs to Give out CFLs to studentsstudentsAnnual Savings: Annual Savings:

$247,000 and 2050 $247,000 and 2050 metric tons COmetric tons CO22

Promote Use of Alternative Promote Use of Alternative Transportation Transportation

Mode of Transportation

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Destination

Num

ber o

f Res

pond

ents

WALKCARBUSBIKE

Incentives for using public transportation and increased availability of information. Promotion of CAPS program Blue Urban Bike Program Incentives for carpooling

Bus Ridership with Incentive

13%

24%

31%

15%

13%4% Always

Very Frequently

Occasionally

Unknown

Very Rarely

Never

Minimum Total Estimated Minimum Total Estimated SavingsSavings

Based on the estimated savings Based on the estimated savings of 5 of the 10 of 5 of the 10

recommendations, recommendations, $1,486,000 and 4,970 metric $1,486,000 and 4,970 metric

tons of carbon dioxide tons of carbon dioxide emissions would be saved emissions would be saved

annually.annually.

4,970 metric tons of CO2 saved = 2.4% of the 204,000 metric tons that

must be cut.

Brian Naess and Dana Haine Brian Naess and Dana Haine Institute for the EnvironmentInstitute for the Environment

Terri BucknerTerri Buckner Office of SustainabilityOffice of Sustainability

Special Thanks: