Hamilton – This fall, a first-year seminar at Colgate University gave students an opportunity to explore an old house in Hamilton and help out its owner with useful tips on reducing the cost of running it.
The seminar, called ‘Global Sustainability,’ focused on energy issues. ‘I wanted to include a hands-on component,’ said Beth Parks, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, who teaches the course. Last summer she publicized in local newspapers that she was searching for a drafty old house that the class could examine to learn about energy efficiency through a concrete example.
Ron Blackmore, of 72 Madison Street, stepped in.
‘I volunteered my house for the project, not only to find ways to save money,’ said Blackmore, ‘but also because I’ve always been concerned about energy issues.’
Working with an engineer, the students were each assigned an area or system of the house. They conducted tests similar to the home efficiency analysis service that used to be provided by utility companies, measuring the amount and cost of heat loss the house experiences. In doing so, they evaluated insulation in the basement, living areas, and attic; examined the wood stove; and counted and identified the types of windows and doors. They also analyzed other systems that use electricity, such as small appliances, the refrigerator, water heater, and lighting fixtures.
The class developed two scenarios. First, they calculated what it would cost to make the house extremely energy efficient ‘ enough so to eliminate the need to use fossil fuels for heating. Second, they determined the costs to incrementally improve energy efficiency and then calculated the paybacks that would result from those smaller improvements.
At the end of the project, Blackmore was invited to a final presentation where the students explained their results and a gave him a written report making recommendations for changes. Blackmore appreciated the efforts of the class and at the end of the presentation commented, ‘You probably will all have homes of your own some day, so hopefully this will be valuable to you, too.’
Blackmore reported that he learned about some improvements he hadn’t thought of doing, such as insulating his drafty cupola. ‘It’s a tough house to heat because the ceilings are so high.’
‘I’m pleased with the way the students did the work,’ said Professor Parks.
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