Objectives:Without increasing the institutional budget, replace aging building infrastructures with energy efficient systems:
- Monitor utility costs, and classroom and office climate conditions
- Determine the amount of energy saved using Measurement and Verification (M&V) software to identify energy consumed before and after the ESCO project
Reduce the University’s carbon footprint:
- Review fuel purchase and utility usage
Improve the learning/working environment:
- Monitor classroom/buildings climate conditions
- Conduct satisfaction surveys
Reduce facilities-related operating expenses:
- Personnel costs, new contract costs, employee overtime
- Assess increases/decreases in the institution’s facilities budget
Outcomes:Project still underway. Measures to date:
- Maintenance and repair budget reduced by $1.5 million annually
- Maintenance and operations costs have been reduced by 13% ($848,000) annually achieved through personnel savings, reduction in outside contracting costs, and personnel overtime expenditures
- Energy performance contract guarantee of an annual utility cost savings of $735,000
Challenges/Problems Encountered:One challenge was ensuring support of administration, students, faculty, staff, and Board of Governors. Extensive and transparent communications occurred throughout the project via websites, town hall meetings, construction updates to building managers and university community, and news releases.
Because construction occurred even while classes were in session, a high degree of schedule coordination needed to occur between the university and contractors. Some temporary relocations of classes and offices were necessary, however classes continued uninterrupted.
Older buildings presented unforeseen and hidden conditions, such as unexpected asbestos abatement, outdated building floor plans necessitating unplanned equipment re-designs.