I. Introduction
Prompted by several factors including rising utility costs, tighter budgets, a growing emphasis on the need to conserve our limited natural resources, and the President’s Climate Commitment to reduce greenhouse gasses, Â鶹´«Ã½ is committed to reducing the energy use of our campus. While the mission of the College depends on having energy-intensive lab, classroom, and office space available to learn, study, and research, there are numerous ways to minimize energy use.
Intent
The intent of this policy is to establish energy related standards that assist Â鶹´«Ã½ in its efforts to reduce energy usage and costs through the adoption of best practice strategies for the entire campus community. This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically as public awareness, management techniques and technologies evolve.
Purpose
This policy recognizes that, as important as conserving our natural resources are, the cost of lost productivity outweighs potential energy savings. Therefore, this policy is not meant to require students, faculty, or staff to sacrifice comfort; rather, its intent is for the community to use resources wisely and in an economically sustainable manner.
Administration
College leaders are expected to lead by example, stressing to the community the importance of energy conservation in achieving our Climate Neutrality Goal, benefitting the local environment, and helping mitigate the consequences of future global climate change.
II. Prioritization of Efforts
As stated in the Â鶹´«Ã½ Climate Action Plan “Prioritizing conservation and efficiency emphasizes educational and behavior-modifying opportunities, which the College views as central to its sustainability goals and a means of extending positive influence beyond campus and into the rest of the world. Conservation and efficiency efforts reduce energy and other resources used by the college, eliminating need for relatively less cost-effective renewable energy technology.â€
Goal 1: Conservation - Reducing our usage (Hours)
Goal 2: Efficiency - Reducing our Demand (kW or Therms)
Goal 3: Renewables - Purchase and development of renewable sources of energy
Goal 4: Offsets - Third-party or off-campus offsetting of emissions
III. Specific Measures
A. Building Ventilation
Doors and windows are generally designed to be kept always closed and should not be opened to alleviate heating or cooling problems in the building. Occupants of Â鶹´«Ã½ buildings should not expect space temperatures to be adjusted unless they fall outside of the acceptable ranges established in this policy. Areas of concern that are either too hot or too cold shall be reported as soon as possible by submitting a service request through the Â鶹´«Ã½ Facilities website.
B. HVAC Optimization
HVAC optimization will be implemented to promote system shutdown to the greatest extent possible overnight, during the weekend, and over holidays. Facilities and Campus Services will evaluate requests for exemptions on an individual basis. Exceptions to this policy will apply so as not to adversely affect instruction, electronic data processing installations, animal care units, or research facilities that require constant or warmer temperatures. If you plan to work during a designated unoccupied period, it is advisable to be prepared with appropriate seasonal clothing.
1. Heating
During the heating season, room temperatures shall be heated to 68-70°F when occupied. Whenever it is economically and technically feasible, night setback features of the Building Management System will be utilized to allow temperatures to drop to 55°F during unoccupied periods. Individual electric space heaters are highly discouraged and will be considered for use if building systems cannot be modified to meet the heating season set points.
2. Cooling
During the cooling season, room temperatures shall be cooled to 74-76°F when occupied. Whenever it is economically and technically feasible, night setback features of the Building Management System will be utilized to allow temperatures to rise to 85°F during unoccupied periods.
C. LEED Certification
1. New Construction
As stated in the Green Building Standards all eligible new construction projects must strive for a minimum of LEED-NC Gold. In addition to achieving a minimum of gold certification, new buildings shall be designed and built to minimize energy use by earning at least 10 points of the available 19 points for energy performance under the LEED Credit for Optimization Energy Performance. The project team must use life cycle cost analysis to compare design alternatives for major building systems, including Mechanical (HVAC equipment and controls, energy sources); Electrical (lighting sources and controls); Envelope (roofing, insulation/mass, glazing).
2. Existing Buildings
Every facility certified under LEED-NC should be evaluated for LEED-EBOM certification, with the goal of a certification level equal to its initial LEED-NC certification level. Buildings without LEED-NC certification may also pursue LEED-EBOM certification. All new and renovated facilities, whether or not they pursue LEED-EBOM certification must have an operations and maintenance plan that acknowledges compliance with the standards described in the Sustainable Operation and Maintenance Standards.
D. Building Energy Benchmarking
The energy manager shall conduct regular reviews of building level energy use and to identify potential problems and an annual review shall occur with Facilities and Campus Services leadership and building occupant groups to identify and explain trends and opportunities for improvement. Buildings with an increase in energy use intensity will be evaluated for potential energy efficiency project after conservation actions are implemented.
E. Energy Conservation/Efficiency Projects
The energy manager shall conduct campus wide building level analysis of energy and other resource use and performance at least once each fiscal year to determine potential energy conservation and efficiency projects that could be implemented. To ensure effective project prioritization and best use of campus resources, the energy manager shall evaluate projects identified to have energy savings associated with them. Energy Projects must further the goals of the Sustainability Action Plan, have measurable benefits (environmental, financial, social), have a positive net present value, and must show resource savings and greenhouse gas mitigation.
F. Renewables and Alternative Energy
As the cost of utilities increase and renewable technology improves and becomes more financially viable, the college will evaluate the potential for renewable energy applications including but not limited to solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, geothermal, and fuel cells.
G. Purchasing
As outlined in the College Sustainable Purchasing Policy, Â鶹´«Ã½ purchases EnergyStar certified appliances and EPEAT Gold registered electronic equipment. This standard will apply to vendor appliances and equipment, including vending machines, computing, and kitchen equipment.
IV. Continued Success
There are several ongoing activities that will help ensure the success of Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Energy Policy:
A. Education
College faculty, staff and student cooperation and support of the energy policy are keys to its success. An education program via a link on the College Sustainability website provides information on utility usage and trends.
B. Metering and Monitoring
Significant portions of the College building mechanical systems have been added to the building management system (BMS). This permits greater control over operating schedules and temperatures, reduces energy consumption, and allows for implementation of controls strategies to reduce energy. New construction shall be added to the existing building automated control system for enhanced energy management capabilities. Meter readings will be used to track utility consumption and the data used to locate problem areas as well as determine if goals are being met.
C. Training
Training will be provided to ensure that both operations and service technicians have the skills and knowledge to effectively apply the technology and tools used to achieve energy savings. When a new building is constructed, or an existing building is renovated or re-commissioned there will be training material available for occupants to learn how to operate the features of the building the most efficient way possible.
D. Maintenance
Mechanical system efficiency degrades over time. Priority will be given to performing preventative maintenance to ensure that systems operate as efficiently as possible. Repairs to systems that impact energy consumption will be given high priority.