The UW Sustainability Committe launched a competition to replace old energy draining refrigerators across campus. The winner of the “worst offender” fridge will be rewarded a new Energy Star model to replace the inefficient one.
A refrigerator made before 1980 costs five times more to maintain each year than an energy efficient model, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
With this in mind, the University of Wyoming Sustainability Committee decided to host its first Refrigerator Exchange in May.
The committee is searching for the oldest, most cost draining fridge it can find. Refrigerators with rounded edges, made before 1990 or a retro color such as yellow, brown or pea green, may be eligible to win the contest.
Other sure signs of having an old, decrepit fridge include having to manually defrost it, or it being UW owned and found in laboratories, kitchens and offices.
The Sustainability Committee is hosting this program in hopes to reduce energy costs at UW as well as decrease the campus’ overall climate footprint.
“This provides the campus sustainability committee with the opportunity to provide education while actually reducing energy use. Not to mention, the office I work in also has an ancient refrigerator,” Milton Geiger said.
Geiger is the Energy Extension Coordinator for the University of Wyoming Extension and the UW School of Energy Resources.
“Uniquely, the incentives to replace an old fridge are limited compared to private ownership, where the owner actually has to pay for the electricity,” Geiger said.
The most energy demanding fridge at UW will be replaced with a new Energy Star Model Refrigerator provided by the Campus Sustainability Committee. Special note will be taken for replacement of multiple units with a single unit.
The committee has already received numerous, creative entries. All entries must be received by May 3 and winners will be notified May 15, Geiger said.
Entries require a photo as well as a description of the fridge. It must be at least 18 cubic feet. All entries should be submitted via e-mail to Geiger at mgeiger1@uwyo.edu.
