A study of selected ACUHO related colleges and universities' energy conservation practices with recommendations for implementing a residence hall energy conservation program

Twenty-nine chief housing officers, 83% of those contacted, in ACUHO related institutions in twenty states participated in the study. Total enrollment of the surveyed institutions ranged from 3,400 to over 50,000. The number of residence halls at the surveyed institutions ranged from three to ninety-two with residence hall pop ulations of between 659 and 17,086 students.

This study identified sixteen elements, regarded by various energy experts as important components of effective energy conservation iii IV programs. Although all sixteen elements, which comprised the CPEI, were utilized in varying degrees at various institutions, four of the elements had significantly lower utilization rates than the other twelve.

An item-analysis of the sixteen-element PEES, which utilized high-low "contrast" group scores, showed that although there was some variability in the responses of the "contrast" groups, the groups tended to be consistent in rating the elements as either effective or ineffective. The results showed that there was greater agreement among the "contrast" groups of the PEA sub-scale items than there was among the "contrast" groups of the PET sub-scale items.

Three types of energy conservation programs were identified, with the majority of institutions utilizing low-cost Quick-fix programs. Housing administrators were identified as the primary group of individuals involved in the establishment of objectives for residence hall energy conservation programs. Residence hall conservation pro grams were implemented primarily on the basis of ease of implementation and "minimum cost" with actual costs ranging from "small or minimal" to $300,000 and conservation cost avoidance figures ranging from unknown to $1,300,000.

Institutional recognition of staff efforts to conserve energy was generally in the form of a "pat on the back. Only one institu tion reported that a reduction in energy related operating costs resulted in a portion of the savings being allocated to the housing department. Few housing departments conducted student incentive based V residence hall conservation programs. Of those departments which did have incentive based programs, incentives or awards were generally in the form of specific cash prizes or recreational equipment.

Eleven recommendations for implementing residence hall energy conservation programs were enumerated. Four recommendations regarding future areas of study were also listed.