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GREENSBORO — More than 30 buildings line the campus of Bennett College for Women and soon some of the oldest buildings could become the most energy efficient.

Climate control, updating light fixtures and windows could also mean big savings for the college. There are also 13 soda machines throughout the campus and simply turning off the advertising light could save more than $1,000 a year.

"We plan to start with simple things like cutting down the temperatures in the buildings. An investment of $300,000 in five years will save over $4 million dollars in energy consumption,” said Andrena Coleman with Bennett College.

The changes are a result of a study by graduate students with The Environmental Defense Fund. For 10 weeks, students Bridget Wilson of Wake Forest University and Ifoma Henzy-Ajudua of North Carolina Central University studied the 55 acre campus in order to identify energy efficient and conservation measures.

"We train the fellows to look for low cost to no cost energy efficiency opportunities," said Marilynn Marsh-Robinson with the EDF. "Energy efficiency is the fastest and most cost effective way to reduce the impact of global warming. Buildings account for about 70 percent of electrical use throughout the nation and account for about a third of the greenhouse gas emissions."

School officials are also working to get students involved in the effort.

"The primary focus was our residence halls because we feel that with residents hear ten months out of the year, our greatest opportunities for cost savings would be with them," said Coleman.

Several students are already doing their part, taking green actions such as unplugging household items and electronics.