Students live green at WNEC

Western New England College senior Meghan Nario and her friends requested to live in Southwood Hall before construction was complete last year.

“We weren’t quite sure exactly what it was going to look like. But, it actually looks like every other building, just newer,” Nario told 22News on Tuesday.

“They did a good job,” she continued, “I think it’s not that noticeable to us. But, in the environment they’ll be able to tell […] We see little stuff that makes a difference to our lives.”

Green elements include bamboo cabinets, energy saving lighting, and energy star appliances in Southwood Hall’s suites.

Push the handle on the toilet up, and it will flush with a fraction of the water.

“I think the most noticeable for them [students] is probably the toilet flush,” said David Kruger, the Director of Special Projects at WNEC.

Kruger designed Southwood Hall following LEED certification concepts.

“In talking with the students,” Kruger added, “they are aware that it’s an eco friendly building and they appreciate the fact that we’ve done things.”

Geo Tile carpet in the dorm’s hallways lasts twice as long as typical carpet, which requires replacement every three to five years.

Outside, solar panels on the building’s roof heat water. Rain is collected and used for irrigation.

The most energy saving element, according to Kruger, is the geothermal heating and cooling system. Nearly 150 wells were drilled hundreds of feet into the ground. They reside below Southwood Hall’s parking lot. Fifty-five degree water from the wells is piped through the building by the geothermal system for heating or cooling needs.

Kruger estimates the geothermal system will save the dorm approximately $60,000 a year in heating and cooling costs. The savings will replace the extra cost of the geothermal system in about two and a half years.