Water and Energy Features at Stony Brook University To Decrease Water Usage and Heating Costs
National Grid installed 947 shower heads, 7 spray valves and 2,280 aerators throughout the campus.
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Stony Brook University eco leaders, Dalton Gilbert and Brandon Brown. |
STONY BROOK, N.Y., December 6, 2016 – Stony Brook University, in partnership with National Grid, has recently completed the installation of new water-efficient aerators, showerheads and spray valves in various campus buildings. With the implementation of these new water-efficient fixtures, the University has the potential to significantly reduce water consumption and increase natural gas savings.
“The Sustainability team, working with National Grid, spearheaded a project to reduce the University’s water consumption by installing devices that decrease water output at the faucet by over 50 percent,” said Stony Brook University’s Campus Sustainability and Energy Manager, Tom Lanzilotta. “Reducing the amount of water used to wash hands and take showers also conserves energy by using less hot water, which makes this project a win-win for both the University and the environment.”
During the summer break, National Grid installed 947 shower heads, 7 spray valves and 2,280 aerators throughout the campus. The more efficient aerators have a flow rate of 1.0 gallon of water per minute (gpm), while the old standard aerators had a flow rate of 2.2 gpm. The shower heads and spray valves have a flow rate of 1.5 gpm, replacing the less efficient 2.5 gpm units. The installation of these new water-efficient fixtures will save Stony Brook annually an estimated 2.1 million gallons and 43,000 therms.
The project furthers Stony Brook University’s longstanding commitment to promoting environmental sustainability through efficiency. “Environmental stewardship has long been a focus at Stony Brook University,” said Lanzilotta. “Projects of this nature and scope will go a long way in meeting our efficiency goals.”
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| Eco leaders display the replaced aerators before commencing their testing on new, more efficient aerators installed by National Grid. |
“National Grid is proud to partner with Stony Brook University to help them achieve their environmental sustainability and emissions reduction goals,” said Mike Ruiz, Director of Customer and Community Management, National Grid. “We have created award winning energy efficiency programs that have helped thousands of our commercial, multifamily and residential customers reduce their energy usage. Plus, our energy efficiency programs have helped reduced thousands of tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, as well as helping to reduced our reliance on imported fossil fuels.”
Stony Brook University’s Office of Sustainability is urging students, faculty and staff to join them in thinking and acting sustainably on campus. Below is a list of ways you can help conserve water at Stony Brook:
- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth
- Turn off the faucet while lathering your hands with soap
- Take shorter showers
- Fill up the sink with water while washing dishes (instead of allowing the water to run continuously)
- Wash full loads of laundry
For more about Stony Brook University recycling and sustainability efforts, visit https://www.stonybrook.edu/sustainability/.
To view information about National Grid energy efficiency programs that have benefited Long Island and New York city customers visit ngrid.com/business or call 1-877-316-9491
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About Stony Brook University Office of Sustainability
Formed in December 2011, the Office of Sustainability works as a proponent for positive change by partnering with the university community to help develop a sustainable culture. The Office serves as a resource for best practices of sustainable solutions that look to increase operating efficiencies, promote environmental awareness and conserve resources.
About Stony Brook University
Part of the State University of New York system, Stony Brook University encompasses 200 buildings on 1,450 acres. Since welcoming its first incoming class in 1957, the University has grown tremendously, now with more than 25,700 students and 2,500 faculty as well as over 175,000 alumni worldwide. Its membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) places Stony Brook among the top 62 research institutions in North America. U.S. News & World Report ranks Stony Brook among the top 100 universities in the nation and top 50 public universities, and
Kiplinger
names it one of the 35 best values in public colleges. One of four University Center campuses in the SUNY system, Stony Brook is part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory, putting it in an elite group of universities that run federal research and development laboratories. The Center for World University Rankings lists Stony Brook in the top 1 percent of institutions worldwide. It is one of only 10 universities nationwide recognized by the National Science Foundation for combining research with undergraduate education. As the largest single-site employer on Long Island, Stony Brook is a driving force of the regional economy, with an annual economic impact of $4.65 billion, generating nearly 60,000 jobs, and accounts for nearly 4 percent of all economic activity in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and roughly 7.5 percent of total jobs in Suffolk County.
Media Contact: Alida Almonte
Office: 631-632-6084
alida.almonte@stonybrook.edu
