The University of Georgia Costa Rica 2014-2015 Sustainability Report UGA Costa Rica 2014 - 2015 Sustainability Report | Page 17
UGACR Average Monthly Electricity Consumption (kWh)
2012
10,589
2011
10,709
4,000
9,325
6,000
2014
2015
6,882
8,000
9,054
10,000
10,288
12,000
2,000
0
There are important
environmental and
economic benefits of using
LED bulbs over CFL and
incandescent bulbs.
bulbs, UGA Costa Rica avoids the
issue of disposing of CFL bulbs
that contain mercury, a chemical
that can be transported through
2010
water and accumulate in marine
organisms.
In 2007, UGA Costa Rica developed
an Energy Savings Plan to manage
energy-associated costs and
direct consumption behaviors.
During months of high occupancy
from January to August, UGACR
maintains a goal of consuming no
more than 15,000 kilowatt hours
(kWh) of electricity per month.
During the low occupancy months,
September to December, this goal
is adjusted to 10,000 kWh hours
per month.
Although average monthly
electricity consumption has
increased from 2010 – 2015 (see
above graph), this does not
necessarily mean the campus
is not increasing its energy
efficiency. Since 2010, the campus
has expanded its operations
significantly, constructing a new
2013
On average, 10,589 kWh of electricity are
consumed each month on the UGACR campus.
faculty residence (equipped with
ENERGY STAR appliances), new
“casitas” for interns and resident
naturalists to live in, a GIS lab,
and new bungalow residence
buildings, in addition to many
other projects. These buildings all
consume electricity and contribute
to the increase in monthly average
electricity consumption.
Between 2010 – 2015, the campus
has expanded operations while
still, on average, meeting its
electricity consumption goals laid
out in the 2007 energy savings
plan. In several years when
more data is available, we will
truly be able to determine how
UGA Costa Rica has managed to
balance energy consumption with
increased campus development.
2014 – 2015 Sustainability Report
17