Energy Wars

Every fall on USU campus, residential halls and academic buildings participate in Energy Wars – a campaign aimed to reduce energy usage. This year, the event will run from October 24th through November 18th. During this period, students and faculty are highly encouraged to participate in reducing their energy consumption by implementing the techniques listed below. At the end of the period, energy usage will be assessed and the building that reduced their energy the most wins.

Living/Learning Spaces

  • Check for drafts around doors and windows
  • Use curtains to help insulate windows during the winter months
    • Don’t have curtains? Lay old flat sheets or blankets around the bottom of your windows and doors
  • Turn your thermostat to 68° to save energy and money
    • Opt to layer in winter months
    • Opt to open windows at night during summer months
  • Whenever possible, implement natural light from windows instead of building lights
  • Turn off building lights when not in use, focus any light use on area in use
  • Replace old bulbs for LEDs
  • Turn off all lights when leaving a room

Electronics

  • Unplug electronics when not in use
    • If the device emits a light when turned off, it’s still using energy
  • Reduce the number of electronics you use at one times
    • I.e. watching a movie and scrolling through your phone
  • Purchase solar charging boxes for smaller electronics
  • Use a smart power strip
    • These will automatically turn off electricity to unused items
  • Opt to take the stairs whenever possible
  • Keep devices on low power mode
  • Hang dry your clothes instead of throwing them in a dryer
  • Avoid mini fridges and buy energy efficient appliances such as Energy STAR or EPEAT certified products.

Food & Water

  • Aim to shorten your daily shower
  • Use cold water for washing laundry
    • This also maintains apparel quality and prevents shrinking and wrinkles
  • Turn off water when brushing your teeth, shaving and washing your hands
  • Take a reusable water bottle with you and ditch single-use plastic products
  • Aim to reduce your meat intake by implementing plant-based protein options
  • Use a lid when cooking, especially when boiling water
  • Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily when baking

Waste

  • Compost your food scraps whenever possible
    • On campus composting green boxes are located near Natural Resources (on the library side) and on the TSC patio.
  • Reuse bottles and jars as storage solutions and drinking glasses
  • Recycle when applicable
  • Use reusable water bottles and utensils
  • Reuse misprinted paper as scratch paper
  • Use newspaper and/or magazines as wrapping paper
  • Pack lunch in reusable containers, ditch the single use plastic bags
  • Take digital notes
  • Use a reusable coffee cup
  • Use cloth bags when shopping, or bring and reuse old plastic and paper bags

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get involved in Energy Wars?

There are a lot of ways to participate in Energy Wars:

  • Take part in our Energy Wars events each fall!
  • Reduce your energy use! You can reduce your energy by referencing the techniques listed above.
  • Talk to your friends and roommates about ways you reduce energy consumption, and/or post on social media.
  • Everyone can add something unique to their resume by contacting the Conservation Event Intern to plan an event. If you live on campus, talk to your RA about planning an energy-themed program.

How Do You Decide Which Building Wins?

Since each building is unique with different numbers of students and different amenities, each hall will compete against its average energy consumption baseline. Academic buildings win by reducing their energy consumption as a percentage of a baseline of average use. Housing used to use energy readings but switched to a point-based system rewarding conservation activities in 2018. 

Which buildings are competing this year?

Energy Wars started in Housing around 2010. Starting in 2016, academic buildings entered the competition. This year, Housing is participating in an educational campaign with individual prizes. Academic buildings will compete with the same baseline. The prize will be awarded in a plan coordinated with the winning building.

Related Links

Winners

 Academic Buildings

  • 2021: College of Agriculture
  • 2020: Ray B. West
  • 2019: Engineering
  • 2018: Education
  • 2017: Natural Resources
  • 2016: Old Main

 Residential Buildings

  • 2021: West Campus & Central Suites
  • 2020: Energy Wars was an educational campaign in campus housing due to COVID-19.
  • 2019: Mountain View Tower, West Campus, Blue Square, SLC, and South Campus
  • 2018: Living Learning Community
  • 2017: Living Learning Community
  • 2016: Living Learning Community
  • 2015: Student Living Center
  • 2014: Living Learning Community
  • 2013: South Campus