Energy Use

This chart shows Mount Holyoke College's energy use since 1990, corrected for total building gross square footage [GSF]. Building square footage has increased 10% during this period.

Thermal use [blue] is also corrected for winter weather conditions, using degree days. Thermal energy use has actually declined over time, down 6%. The increased load for new buildings has been offset by installing more efficient systems, advanced digital controls, better windows, and improved insulation.

The average Massachusetts home uses 800 gallons of home heating oil per year. Last year, MHC's thermal use was 140,000 decatherms*, equivalent to 1270 homes.

In contrast, elecrical use [yellow] has climbed steadily over the past 18 years, up 66% between 1990 and 2004. This is primarily due to the increase in summer cooling; MHC now has a central chiller plant and seven buildings are fully air conditioned. The proliferation of window air conditioners, computers, and other office machines across campus has also increased our electrical appetite. We have reduced electricity use by 5% since the 2004 peak through efficiency projects and conservation programs.

According to the EPA, the average US home uses 10,900 kWh per year of electricity, 11% of which is for lighting. MHC's annual use is 14.5 million kWh, enough to light approximately 12,000 homes.

* 1 decatherm = 1 million Btu