Dorm Earns High Marks for Energy Efficiency

Ingles Hall is a star. And it joins Radford University’s Energy Star-studded lineup of residence halls to lead the state of Virginia.

Buildings that earn Energy Star certification typically use an average of 35 percent less energy and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide than those without the certification. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star website, RU has the only Energy Star-certified residence halls in the state.

“Through this achievement, RU continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental sustainability while also lowering energy costs,” said Julio Stephens, RU’s sustainability coordinator. The renovations this fall included better insulated windows, an upgraded heating system, more efficient hot-water exchangers and upgraded lighting.

The Energy Star program looks at internal efficiency rather than building standards. The certification signifies that Ingles Hall performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy-efficiency performance levels.

Ingles Hall joins five other RU buildings—Heth, Young, Floyd, Norwood and Stuart—with Energy Star certification on the EPA registry.