CLU students lead charge to save energy
Interns' work will reduce costs by $20,000
(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Nov. 25, 2008) California Lutheran University students worked to save the campus nearly $20,000 a year and to prevent almost 63 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere through an internship program.
Students Jennifer Arceo of South Gate, Danny McKnight of Simi Valley, Nate Mihoch of Janesville and Stacy Stone of Tempe, Ariz., learned to perform comprehensive energy audits of all the residence hall fixtures, from hallway lights to exit signs. Noting the types and numbers of the fixtures and hours of operation, the interns calculated expected energy and cost savings based on their recommendations for retrofitting existing lighting with more efficient fixtures. They then replaced the standard light bulbs with 650 more efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs.
The program not only saved CLU money, but it provided the students with knowledge and skills needed for operating facilities in a sustainable manner and they in turn educated others about the benefits of curbing energy waste.
Students received training through the Campus Housing Energy Efficiency Retrofit (CHEER) program, which is run by Strategic Energy Innovations and Quantum Energy Services and Technologies and funded by Southern California Edison.