Sustainability Tip of the Week
A simple wish for a better tomorrow
We are back from semester break with an awesome tip brought to our attention by Barry Witte. Thank you, Barry!
Do you use the automatic door openers that have been installed to meet ADA (American Disability Act) standards? After reading this you might want to use muscle instead to help Hudson Valley Community College save money and hopefully keep our education costs down.
Unnecessary Use of Automatic Door Openers:
How Much Energy is Wasted?
When the button is pressed, the door opens at a slower pace than it normally would if a person had just opened it him or herself. Typically, with the button, the door will stay open for an average of 20 seconds, letting air in and out and wasting energy from the building’s heat or air conditioning.
Northern Kentucky University attempted to monetize this loss. According to The Northerner, Kohrs Lonneman Heil Engineers, a firm located near the campus, estimated that it cost two cents every time one of these buttons was pushed. While this may seem like a piddling amount (and a good way to get rid of pennies), it adds up. The independent student newspaper reported that irresponsible use of automatic door buttons could cost NKU more than $7,000 per week. This equates to $364,000 per year.
Northern Kentucky University population: 15,738
Hudson Valley Community College population: 12,278
Faculty, staff and students please share your sustainable ideas for our weekly tip to j.coons@hvcc.edu.
Published: Mon, 20 Jan 2020 13:06:49 +0000 by j.coons