UH Manoa buildings to save energy through “Green Days” shutdowns

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Gregg Takayama, 956-9836
Community and Government Affairs
Posted: Dec 17, 2008

More than a dozen facilities at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa will help save electricity costs by volunteering to shut off building air-conditioning from Christmas Eve through January 4.



"As the University of Hawai‘i‘s flagship campus and leading research institution, UH Mānoa is expected to demonstrate leadership in preserving our environment and model ways to operate in a sustainable manner," says UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.



The "Mānoa Green Days" pilot project will be considered for future school break periods if this month‘s test proves successful. Occupants of participating buildings will voluntarily work without air-conditioning, take vacation, work from home, or be relocated to alternative building worksites.



Buildings that are a part of "Mānoa Green Days" include:



Hawai‘i Hall

William Richardson School of Law

Wist Hall

Everly Hall

Architecture

Dean Hall

Gartley Hall

George Hall

Holmes Hall (Partial)

Sakamaki (Partial))

Kuykendall (Partial)

Physical Science (Auditoriums Only)

Bilger (Auditoriums Only)

Spalding (Auditoriums Only)



Several other facilities are still considering possible participation.



The cost of operating air-conditioning systems comprises about 60% of the total campus utility bill, which has been rapidly rising - despite reductions in campus energy use - because of steep increases in utility rates.


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