Kill-A-Watt

Annual Energy Conservation Competition
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What is Kill-A-Watt?

For the last 14 years, Sustainability Initiatives, in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Residence Life, has led a campaign to reward students who reduce their energy consumption. In years past, the Kill-a-Watt competition has resulted in savings of nearly $50,000 over the two-month period, and has saved the university a total of 2,216,485 kWh of energy—equivalent to $216,004.00.

How do I participate?

Any on-campus resident can participate by making simple behavioral changes to reduce their energy usage in their dorm room/apartment (see the Tips & Tricks flyer). The competition runs from February 1st to March 31st.

During this time, building residents will work together to reduce their energy consumption. At the end of the competition the buildings with the lowest consumption will be announced, and the residents of these best performing buildings will be eligible to apply for scholarships! At least one $500 scholarship (provided by SG) is available for each living community on campus. Read the details on the How-To Win flyer.

*2020 community and scholarship winners announced below! In light of COVID-19 campus depopulation efforts, only February energy consumption was considered.*

2020 Community Winners:

In partnership with Student Government, we’re awarding 15 $500 scholarships.

*All residents of winning buildings are eligible regardless of campus depopulation impacts.*

  • Apollo: Osceola Hall
  • Greek Row: 416 (Chi Omega)
  • Hercules: 111/112
  • Lake Claire: 57/58
  • Libra: Orange Hall
  • Neptune: 157
  • Nike: 106/107
  • Rosen: 904
  • Towers: 2

Scholarship winners will be announced on April 21, and scholarships will be applied in Fall 2020.      

Submission Requirements:

Deadline: Scholarship submissions are due by 11:59 PM on April 15 to sustainable@ucf.edu. 

Eligible mediums include:

  • Written works up to 500 words
  • Art pieces (digital or a photo of the physical work)
  • Videos up to 1.5 minutes

Prompt: As we feel the impact of COVID-19 in our community, scientists are noting decreases in air pollution globally. With this glimpse into one possible low-carbon reality and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day approaching, many are contemplating whether these new lessons should leave us feeling optimistic or worried about our collective future. Consider how the present circumstances are changing the way we consume energy as individuals and communities. Then, share your vision of a low-carbon reality. 

2018 Submission

An Ode to Saving Energy by Katie Maleta

“Time is ticking, fridges are running,
Water is dripping, lights are buzzing.
Listen! Can you hear it?
All that power wasting away,
All through the night and all through the day,
Oh how I wish people could see
Just why saving energy is important to me.
You don’t need to take an hour shower.
And the lights don’t have to be on while you’re gone.
If you unplug your lamps and open your blinds,
You’ll see that the world is much better outside.
Maybe go for a walk, or read a good book,
If you knew what you’re missing, you’d be shook.
So turn off the lights and save some energy,
The world is a wonder, just go and see.”

2020 Scholarship​ Winners:

Osceola Hall

Melissa Candales Suarez

Chi Omega

Alexandra Adams

Hercules 111

Alexis Labrada

Hallie Garrigus

Hercules 112

Rhiley Hodges

Lake Claire 58

Alina Wise

Angie Benitez-Garcia

Orange Hall

Morgan Covington

Neptune 157

Carswell Norman

Exdol Davy

Nike 106

Bryce Christian Villanueva

Rosen 904

Amanda Stover

Tower 2

Ashley Urquhart

Jacqueline Yeji Tejada Kim

Shea McLinden

In a Perfect Society, poetry by Alina Wise
"...As we ran away, | The waterways of Italy are now seeing better days. | The sky has gotten clearer | The air feels healthier | Making us contemplate, | Have we been the ticking time bomb waiting to detonate? | Destroying nature unknowingly along our evolving path, | Is there a way we can create a civilization to combat nature’s true wrath?..."
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A Look into the Past, an essay by Angie Benitez-Garcia
"...When I was younger, the sky wasn’t as blue as a sapphire stone, nor were the clouds as white as a sheep’s wool. Instead, the land was wrapped around in a dense, suffocating, ashen smog. The rain was gray, and the clouds were barely visible. I would walk two miles to school with a mask around my face on emergency days, my eyes stinging with irritation as tears slid down my face. Now, when I go for a walk in these old bones, the atmosphere is crisp and inviting, my lungs feeling new every time..."
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A Message from Earth, poetry by Exdol Davy
"...From the moment you were born into this world, | Breathing was the very first thing that you learned. | You’re doing it now, even as you read, | But who ensures that there’s enough air to breathe? | Whether you go to a fountain or the faucet by a sink, | For as long as you could remember, you’ve had the need to drink. | In many homes today you can drink by simply pressing a thumb, | But where do you think that freshwater comes from? | On a sunny day at the park, you get ready to play! | How is it that the weather is so beautiful that day?..."
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