Jennings Hall wins UF Eco-Challenge Energy competition

March 30, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla – Jennings Hall is the winner of the 2009 Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls energy competition among University of Florida residence halls. Jennings Hall residents saved 2.95 kilowatts (kwhs) per resident, per day in February 2009 compared with February 2008. This is a savings of 40,639 kwhs.

“Challenging ourselves to be more conscious of our energy consumption each year is an excellent way to educate residents and remind ourselves of our place and responsibility within a global community,” said Jon Sheffield, Inter-Residence Hall Association president. “This year’s competition is a reminder of that responsibility and our way to practice being a better part of that community. I am very pleased to see that, yet again, we have seen our residents take the challenge seriously by cutting their energy consumption.”

During this year’s competition, 12 out of 21 residence hall communities used less kwhs per resident, per day the February 2008 kwhs usage. The kwhs savings were moderate and ranged from 0.18 to 2.95 kwhs less per resident, per day. Nine halls used more kwhs per resident, per day in February 2009. Three halls were excluded from the competition because of technical problems with electrical meters.

Jennings Hall received 10 points for winning the challenge. Halls that saved energy received 5 points each. Halls that used more energy received 3 points each for participation. The excluded halls received 5 points each.

The Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls competition was co-sponsored by the Inter-Residence Hall Association, the UF Office of Sustainability, and the Department of Housing and Residence Education Green Team/Recycling/Sustainability Committee. The challenge continues with a water conservation competition in March. The winner of the water competition will be announced in April and an overall winner of the challenge will be determined. The winning residence hall community will be recognized at a celebration to occur prior to finals week.