Compared to other houses on campus, Sustainahouse saves energy costs, according to residents.
The residents of Sustainahouse are known for implementing ways within the home to reduce their energy, electricity and water usage. Henry Hellmuth, Sustain Mizzou’s vice president of programming, monitors the Sustainahouse’s energy usage and consumption.
“Our average for electricity is $59 per month, and our average for water usage is $18 per month,” he said. “Divided by six people, we are each paying about $13 per month for utilities.”
Hellmuth said it is more sustainable to live with more people in one place only if you make sure to watch energy consumption habits.
Andrew Israel, a senior who lives on East Campus, said he wouldn’t choose to live with more people, even if it did cut down on costs.
“Right now my utility bill, which includes electricity and water, is about $150 per month,” he said. “I only live with one other roommate so we each have to pay about $75 per month.”
Compared to the residents at the Sustainahouse, Israel is paying six times more for utilities.
“I do turn off lights and take shorter showers because I know it will save me more money,” he said. “I believe the residents’ way of life at the Sustainahouse is a good progressive lifestyle that is beneficial for the environment and for the residents themselves. I probably just need to do a better job on my part to help make the world a better place to live in.”
Rachel O’Brien, a senior who also lives on East Campus, said she agrees that the Sustainahouse is an excellent idea.
“Because most college students don’t pay attention to the amount of energy, water and waste they’re producing, publishing techniques that have been developed by college students themselves will provide other students with examples on how to reduce their utility usage to ultimately help save some money,” she said.
Right now, O’Brien’s utility bill is an average of $210 per month. Luckily, with six other roommates, she only has to pay about $30 each month.
“Our bill fluctuates, so sometimes I think it’s a little too much, but the majority of the time it’s not bad,” she said. “However, I would absolutely love to implement some of the Sustainahouse practices in my living environment to save me some money.”
After doing the math, O’Brien’s total bill for her and her six roommates is about three times more than the Sustainahouse’s costs. From the numbers, the Sustainahouse is more sustainable to live in, but that sustainability does come with some extra work.
Hellmuth said the Sustainahouse has energy audits every once in a while. Energy audits are educational tours through the house where the residents point out spots that seem to be leaking cool air or heat.
“If you’re letting all that warmth or cool air escape then you potentially will pay a lot more per month,” he said.