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Facilities Update

The Facilities department has made progress on a variety of items over the past year that support our sustainability goals. Here are the details:

  • Implemented steam trap inspection program to minimize steam losses on both campuses. Annual inspection to insure efficient capturing of heat from the steam.
  • New campus standard to utilize LED emergency exit signs in new buildings (used in Lefavour Hall). LED is far more energy efficient than either incandescent or florescent.
  • Multi-year efficiency improvements to the Main Campus air conditioning plant:
    • Installation of variable frequency drives (VFD) on all equipment so that equipment runs as required by varying load demands and does not use energy when demand does not require it.
    • Installed larger cooling tower which allows greater use of outside air temperatures to increase cooling plant efficiency.
    • Replaced two chillers with higher efficiency equipment.
    • Replaced control valves on field equipment to allow for higher efficiency pumping operation.
    • Installed enhanced control system to ensure the most efficient operation of the three chillers at all times.

  • Installed and implemented college-wide automated temperature control system that allows individual spaces in all buildings on both campuses to be programmed for heating and cooling based on occupancy schedule. Recently upgraded this system to a Web-based system to allow easier monitoring and adjustment of temperatures.
  • Installation of occupancy sensors for offices and restrooms for Main Campus lighting so that lights turn off when spaces are unoccupied. Installation of variable frequency drives whenever possible within all HVAC and plumbing systems.
  • Science Center roof replacement provided white, heat reflecting roof for maximum energy efficiency.
  • Installation of heat recovery ventilation units in renovated areas of the Main Campus Building and Lefavour Hall to capture exhaust energy and use it for heating and cooling.
  • Installation of air economizer controls so that cooler outside air is used to cool interior spaces.
  • Installation of low flow water fixtures in all new construction and installation of automatic faucets in all renovation projects.
  • Installation of central vacuum system to greatly reduce water aspirator use in the Science Center.
  • Use of photo cells to use daylight whenever possible to light areas in Main Campus buildings.
  • Control exterior lighting by either photo cell or timeclock in all areas.
  • Use of a 3rd party commissioning agent in all new construction projects to ensure efficient operation of all building systems and that all systems are installed and operating per the design intent.
  • Installation of CO2 monitoring equipment to control the flow of outside air in large assembly areas such as the Conference Center, Quad Side CafĂ©, large classrooms. This allows more efficient control the outside air to control temperature to allow reduced demand on mechanical systems. It also improves indoor air quality for building occupants.
  • Installation of new boiler controls to improve efficiency in boiler operation on both campuses.
  • Distribution of compact florescent light bulbs to students for use in residence hall lamps.