Darlington students are competing in an energy conservation competition called the Green Cup Challenge (GCC) in the hopes of reducing electricity consumption as much as possible at all three campuses over the next four weeks.
"From data collected from meter readings in February for the last three years, we’ve established a total baseline usage rate of 99,348 kWh/week," said Gordon Hight, director of Upper School. "We will take meter readings each Monday, starting today and ending Feb. 22, and will compare that data against our baseline."
The school that shows the greatest percentage decrease will be declared the winner. More than 20 other schools in Georgia are competing in this year's Green Cup Challenge.
"Though our building footprint has recently grown, the efforts that went into making our new Middle School both sustainable and efficient should prove advantageous," Hight said.
In a communication to students, faculty and parents, Hight asked for everyone's support and urged them to follow a few simple recommendations aimed at curtailing wasteful electricity consumption both at school and at home:
1. Turn off/unplug appliances, computers, etc. when not in use. Many items such as computers and televisions continue to use electricity even if switched to off or standby modes.
2. Monitor thermostats and adjust them to warm or cool only when rooms are in use. Recommended settings of 68° F in winter and 72° F in summer maintain comfortable environments without excessive energy use.
3. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. CFLs use 75% less electricity and are now available in more appealing light colors. CFLs pay for themselves in 6 months.
In addition to Darlington's efforts to measure and encourage awareness about energy use and ways to reduce it, the school's dining services staff will assist by designing meals on Fridays during the competition that don’t compromise in taste nor dietary need, but require a fraction of the energy typically consumed in preparation.
"It is our intention to continue to be good stewards of the resources available at Darlington, and as always, we appreciate your support," Hight said. "While we hope to reduce our electricity use as much as possible, we will not do so in ways that inhibit any of the activities at school. Whatever the final results may be, if we have improved awareness and shaped behaviors to be more conservation-minded, this endeavor will be successful."
For more information about the Green Cup Challenge, please e-mail e-mail Gordon Hight.
