Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (0)

Matthew Traum

MIT’s Dorm Electricity Competition Backfires

As part of its attempt to become more energy-conscious, MIT has devised a competition among its undergraduate dormitories to determine which building can use the least electricity. Details of the competition are given at the MIT Dorm Electricity Competition Web site.

In many universities, the cost of electricity for dorm rooms is usually rolled into the rent, and MIT functions the same way. Students pay the same for utilities each month regardless of how little energy they use. Thus, there is little motivation in dorms to conserve energy because there is no financial benefit for the end consumer for doing so.

A few MIT dorms embrace a sub-culture that induces residents to act counter to the whims of the Institute. These facilities include East Campus and Senior House. The great irony of this competition is that it has caused students in these dorms to begin discussing ways to waste the most electricity possible. I happen to be on the discussion e-mail lists of both dorms, and I have been privy to the torrent of messages about ways to waste energy. Be warned, these comments are both sad and hilarious at the same time.

I power up that ancient 300 pound window AC unit (containing the magic of freon) to max, and then I open the door to the balcony to also enjoy a nice breeze on my face.