We Conserve surpassed its 2006 goal to reduce UW-Madison's energy use by 20 percent by 2010 by five percent, according to Program Director Faramarz Vakili.
We Conserve signs and ribbons are posted all over UW-Madison campus publicizing the program's accomplishment.
The university spent $29 million over a span of five years in order to save energy on campus prior to setting the goals in 2006.
One of the major measures UW Conserve took was to update heating and cooling systems, which are the largest energy consumer on campus. The program also installed high-efficiency lights in certain buildings and upgraded lights in buildings and parking ramps, among other renovations.
The program renovated older buildings such as Engineering Hall, Chamberlin Hall and the Chemistry Building to make them more sustainable.
Although these renovations cost about $40 million, Vakili said the university would be paid back in savings in five years.
