Turning down the thermostat

Colorado Mountain College saw savings both financially and in energy use during winter break. Roaring Fork High School students Gael Meraz and Sara Kokish collected and analyzed the data while learning the technicalities of energy monitoring.

CMC slashes energy use during winter break

This story was published in Garfield Clean Energy's newsletter on Jan. 28, 2025. It is re-posted here with permission. 

By Dave Reed, Garfield Clean Energy communications director

Energy monitoring in big buildings doesn’t just save money and reduce emissions – it can also be educational. Just ask Colorado Mountain College.

As a member of Garfield Clean Energy, the college has access to an online service called Advanced Energy Management through CLEER, the nonprofit that runs GCE’s programs. Members also get free support in using the data to optimize building performance, and CMC contracts for additional services.

Over the recent winter break, CMC’s facilities team worked with CLEER staff and student interns to conduct a partial shutdown of energy-using systems in six buildings at the Spring Valley campus and in downtown Glenwood Springs. The team usually turns down thermostats and turns off lighting in unoccupied buildings during holidays, but this year’s shutdown plan was more intentional and disciplined.

Read the full story: 

CMC slashes energy use during winter break - Garfield Clean Energy

 

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