Gordon's Sustainability Efforts

Gordon College has been making investments in our campus to reduce our use of fossil fuel. Along with reducing our use of electricity and natural gas, we are also decreasing our carbon footprint and lessening our impact on the environment. We are also committed to improving comfort, increasing safety and reducing our budget.

Recent Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) and their impact on the campus include:

Woodland Parking Lot LED Light Replacement (funded by the Going Green Grant): All lights were replaced with LED lights, which increased light levels and created the following benefits

40,603 KWH of electricity saved per year
63,157 pounds (28.6 metric tons) of carbon dioxide saved per year
$5,278 will be saved in electrical costs per year
With our National Grid rebate, our return on investment (ROI) will be 1.5 years
Increased safety and reliability
Eliminated the use of mercury-containing light bulbs

Gordon’s annual savings will go into a special account, our Going Green Grant, to fund other projects to continue our sustainability efforts.

Bathroom Hand Dryers (funded by the Going Green Grant): Two hand dryers were installed in the bathrooms of Lane and others around campus, with the following benefits:

66% less carbon dioxide per dry than paper towels
Reduced solid waste
Savings of about $1,500 per year in paper towel costs
NSF approved for safety
Antimicrobial coating for safety
ROI will be 2 years

Gordon’s annual savings will go into a special account, our Going Green Grant, to fund other projects to continue our sustainability efforts.

Jenks Learning Resource Center LED Lighting Replacements: Approximately 113 LED lights were installed to replace existing fluorescent lighting. This increased lighting levels and improved the look and usability of the Resource Room and other areas. Benefits include:

23,402 KWH of electricity saved per year
36,401 pounds (16.5 metric tons) of carbon dioxide saved per year
$3,042 will be saved each year in electricity costs
Reduced maintenance needs (as LED lights last much longer)
Eliminated the use of mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs

Phillips Music Center LED Lighting Retrofits: 110 LED light fixtures have been installed to replace fluorescent lighting fixtures in the hallways, practice rooms and offices. Benefits include:

17,587 KWH of electricity saved per year
27,356 pounds (12.4 metric tons) of carbon dioxide saved per year
$2,286 will be saved in energy costs per year
Reduced maintenance needs (as LED lights last much longer)
Eliminated the use of mercury-containing light bulbs

Phillips Music Center Energy Management Replacement: Removed the existing energy management system and installed a new state-of-the-art system. Benefits include:

Increased comfort, better air quality and reduced humidity
78,635 KWH of electricity saved per year
4,698 therms of natural gas saved per year
177,253 pounds (80.4 metric tons) of carbon dioxide saved per year
$35,345 will be saved in yearly energy costs
With National Grid rebate, the ROI will be 5.3 years

Lane Student Center Variable Speed Drive Installation: Installing variable speed drives on chilled water pumps and kitchen exhaust ventilation motors will reduce energy use and improve the comfort of the building. Benefits include:

Reduced air flow and noise in kitchen
102,708 KWH of electricity saved per year
12,136 therms of natural gas saved per year
267,509 pounds (133.8 tons) of carbon dioxide saved per year
$40,967 will be saved in energy costs
With National Grid rebate, the ROI will be 1.6 years

Student LED Task Lighting Bulb Give-Away: Over the last several years Gordon gave students over 1,000 LED task lighting bulbs to be used in the room lamps. The benefits include:

Lower energy use
Reduced number of mercury-bearing bulbs in residence halls
Longer bulb life

Gordon's net savings from these energy conservation measures are tremendous. The total sustainability savings over the last year includes:

262,925 kWh of electricity
571,676 pounds (271.7 metric tons) of carbon dioxide
16,834 therms of natural gas
$86,916 in energy expenses
Over $100,000 in rebates from National Grid

How does this savings translate into something more tangible?

The electricity saved could power 38 homes for one year.
The reduction in carbon dioxide is equal to what is sequestered annually by 225 acres of American forests.
Financial savings help keep down the cost of a Gordon College education.
Sustainability efforts significantly reduce the carbon footprint of Gordon College.