The annual CWRU Unplugged Energy Contest is underway to encourage students living in campus housing to reduce their energy consumption. The contest began Oct. 25 and will run through Dec. 5. This year, there will be a separate competition for sorority and fraternity houses. Students living in Case Western Reserve University residence halls and Greek houses with University meters will compete separately to reduce their electricity usage the most over the course of the six weeks.
Commuter students also can participate by emailing sustainability@case.edu.
Last year, Phi Sigma Rho and Village Houses 6 and 7 won, reducing their electricity consumption by around 17%!
Learn more about the challenge.
The Office of Energy and Sustainability’s Student Sustainability Ambassadors—with support from Student Sustainability Council, Residence Hall Association, and CWRU Residence Life, and Housing—organized this challenge.
Tips to win
- Sign the sustainability pledge.
- Monitor your building’s live energy consumption and take action.
- Standings will be updated each week.
- Get your friends and suitemates to reduce your building’s electricity use by turning off the lights, taking the stairs, unplugging devices, washing clothes in cold water and air drying clothes when possible. Have a pledge-signing party with your resident assistant.
- Off-campus students can install LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs, consider smart power strips, and turn down their thermostats. Find more home energy tips from the Office of Energy & Sustainability.
Points will be awarded for:
- Reducing the amount of electricity used in your residence hall;
- Taking the Sustainability Pledge; and
- Attending the two events over the course of the contest.
Prizes
The winning residential hall will receive a pizza and ice cream party. In addition, the winning Greek house will also receive one year of composting services!.
Individuals are automatically entered to win raffle prizes (a customized tote bag, water bottle, and more) by signing the pledge.