News
In the near future, Dartmouth students may move into new "eco-friendly" residence halls with features such as radiant floor heating or spiral-water reheating systems, College administrators report.
The new dorms, to be situated on the north side of Maynard Street across from Moore Hall, are still in the design and development phase, but they are the latest initiative through which the College will seek to become "greener."
The water-reheating system will operate under a spiraling system through which hot water that passes out of the shower stall through the drain will be used to preheat the cold water that is about to enter the faucet.
"We are also thinking of using a radiant floor system so even without a heating system, the floor will feel warm," said Woody Eckels, director of operations for the Office of Residential Life.
Besides the new floor heating and water-reheating systems, the College will also strive to utilize recycled materials in the construction of the dorms, as well as materials that can be acquired in Hanover and surrounding areas, Eckels said.
The College also intends to buy concrete with waste product from incinerators mixed in and use its own wood to construct dorm-room furnishings such as dressers, desks and chairs.
Additionally, the new dorms will be equipped with front-loading washing machines, which utilize less water than their top-loading counterparts.
In Hanover, where sewer bills are dependent on the amount of water that is used, front-loading washing machines will equate to lower costs, Eckels said.
"I was excited to learn that the washing and drying machines are of the highest energy efficiency -- including stacked dryers on front loading washers, for minimal water and energy usage," campus environmental activist Susan DuBois '05 said.
While some students echoed DuBois' enthusiasm with regard to the new steps the College will be taking, others said that there is still work to be done.
"There is no question as to whether the College can do more.
