University Buildings

University Buildings 32% Space Heating 24% Water Heating 22% Lighting 05% Space Cooling 17% Other More on this data.   Oberlin College (PDF 1.4 MB) High-Performance Buildings Case Study Database   ENERGY STAR® High Performance Buildings Rebuild America   Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers

	Ways to Save Reduce energy costs by installing centralized control systems to control off-hour heating, cooling, and lighting across the campus Reduce lighting loads and improve comfort by incorporating daylighting systems and energy-efficient lighting such as T-8, compact fluorescents, and metal halide fixtures Save energy and water with solar water heating systems and low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets Specify ENERGY STAR products for administrative offices, classrooms, and student housing

Universities Consume Energy Like Mini-Cities

Colleges and universities are actually office buildings, restaurants, retail shops, multi-family dwellings, sports facilities, entertainment complexes, and schools rolled into one. Today, these mini-cities face severe budgetary challenges as they strive to operate, update, and replace aging, inefficient buildings. Enrollment is rising along with energy costs and student demand for energy-intensive amenities like air conditioning, high-speed Internet connections, and voice mail.

The Good News?

Many universities are realizing they can reduce operating costs and improve the campus environment by making energy-efficient building improvements. The greatest potential for energy savings comes from improvements in building controls. Some buildings burn the midnight oil, but most don't. Central monitoring controls can regulate off-hour lighting, heating, and cooling across the entire campus.

Efficient lighting and dormitory appliances and equipment; improved heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; and increased use of daylighting are some other measures that can add up to energy savings of more than 30%. Many universities target their most inefficient systems first, then use the energy savings to fund additional capital improvements.

Schools can earn high marks for the improved quality of campus life these changes bring. Many of the same improvements that help lower a building's energy consumption also serve to make it more comfortable, with better temperature control, lighting, ventilation, and air quality. More comfortable classrooms and campus buildings help to attract students and faculty alike.

In fact, some new campus designs are integrating energy-efficient building features with innovative environmental, water, and transportation solutions to optimize cost savings and environmental benefits. For more on integrating energy-efficient technologies into your campus building design, visit the Building Toolbox section of this site.

These high-performance campus buildings also serve as a teaching tool for Environmental Studies or other similar programs, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities about energy and environmental issues. Students can monitor energy technologies in use, conduct campus building energy audits, or even assist local businesses with energy audits, helping to increase awareness of the potential for energy savings.

Special programs, initiatives, and competitions help to further raise energy and environmental awareness. The Solar Decathlon is a new intercollegiate competition that challenges students to design and construct a fully self-sufficient, solar-powered house. The decathlete teams assemble and operate their solar homes at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

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