Michael Ford
Senior Staff Writer        

   The University of Arkansas at Monticello recently installed data loggers around campus. These devices measure and record the usage of fluorescent lighting in particular areas within specified periods of time. 

   “This is important for our engineering company (Tour Andover Controls) in their determination of how much money UAM will save when we convert to an improved lighting system for the campus,” said Jay Jones, the vice chancellor for Finance and Administration.   

   The improvement will include retrofitting the existing fluorescent lighting system to one that uses a more efficient lamp and converting the magnetic ballasts to electronic ones.  

   “You can save a lot of money if you can put in more efficient lighting,” said Jim Hudgins, the physical plant director. “You could always do an average, but it wouldn’t be as accurate as this (data loggers).” 

   This particular project plays a part in a campus-wide energy audit. The campus expects to receive a report from TAC in the next 30 days that will make recommendations for saving energy that include not only the lighting system, but also improvements in many of the heating and cooling systems.   

   “We are hopeful that the savings in energy costs from the recommended action will pay for the improvements over a period of years,” Jones said.

   The campus spent $1.39 million on utilities in the 2005-06 school year and faced a 13 percent increase the following year. This prompted the university to hire an engineering firm to put in proposals to reduce utilities.