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Facilities Management

Building Systems (Internal)

To maximize savings and energy efficiency for the project, many buildings on campus have benefitted from additional energy conservation measures. These measures tie into the overall project to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and improve occupancy comfort and performance by creating healthier spaces.

The lighting in 24 campus buildings has been upgraded to LED lighting. This improves lighting quality, provides exceptional user control, and uses available daylight to reduce energy consumption. The learning and working environment is enhanced for students, faculty, and staff and the deferred maintenance load is reduced.

7,106 fixtures were retrofitted​
7,121 fixtures were replaced​
Occupancy/daylight sensors were added to 9,391 fixtures​
New wireless controls were delivered enhanced energy management and flexibility while further reducing energy use through the following strategies:

Task tuning
Wireless occupancy controls
Wireless daylight harvesting
Zoning

 

This is a diagram explaining how the LED system works.

This shows the LED lights in use.

Example of newly installed light switch/sensor and an LED light installation in an office setting.

Benefits

  • $340,000 in incentives from PG&E Commercial Whole Building Performance Program
  • Electrical consumption reduced by more than 61%
  • Extended life of LEDs significantly reduces maintenance
  • Fewer lamp and ballast replacements reduce operating costs
  • Retrofits result in annual savings of 8,646,693 kBtus
Read more about construction impacts to you and your building.

Buildings:

Lighting Upgrades Locations

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and energy management system (EMS) in 10 campus buildings have been upgraded. The EMS monitors and controls the HVAC systems, along with all the other systems on campus, to maintain occupant comfort while increasing energy efficiency. The EMS provides real-time feedback which allows for adjustments to be made and issues to be addressed. All buildings on campus adhere to temperature setpoints of 68-78°F prescribed by California State Executive Orders.

What is zoned heating and cooling?

The HVAC system within the ten buildings functions in zones. Zoned heating is a method of controlling the temperature of different areas within a building using a single HVAC system. Within the ductwork, there are sensors and dampers that regulate and redirect air to specific areas within each building.

How does it affect me?

Like your house, the HVAC heating system heats and cools several rooms at once. When one sensor reads a temperature that is outside of the set points, all the rooms will be heated and or cooled. This can create office spaces or classrooms that are warmer or cooler than others while still remaining within the bounds of the temperature setpoints of 68-78°F. Sensors are present in every room but cannot be individually controlled.

 

This diagram shows how the HVAC system is divided

This temperature gauge shows the resting temperature between 68-78 degrees Fahrenheit.

An example of how zoned heating temperatures can fluctuate from room to room but remain within the setpoints of 68-78°F.

 

The HVAC and EMS upgrades that occurred include:

  • 3200 new Honeywell control points
  • 42 air handling units
  • 53 Exhaust fan coils
  • Over 330 variable air volume boxes
  • 18 Variable Frequency Drives on AHU
  • Outdoor Air damper at Grosse Industrial Tech

The new EMS uses the University's existing fiber network to provide communication between building controls and the monitoring software. In addition to monitoring and controlling equipment in the central utility plant, the new EMS controls:

  • Temperature setpoint optimization
  • HVAC scheduling
  • Discharge air temperature reset
  • Outdoor air control
  • Economizer control
  • Demand-controlled ventilation
  • Variable speed drives on air handlers and on pumps

 

Buildings:

Energy Management System (EMS) Upgrades

New heat pumps have been installed to support the domestic hot water (DHW) load for 14 campus buildings. These buildings require hot water year-round and heat pumps meet this need in an energy efficient manner. During the school year, energy consumption is decreased because the pumps support the central boiler system.

Heat Pump Operational Diagram

Buildings:
  • Speech Arts
  • Conley Art
  • AG Science
  • McLane Hall
  • Professional and Human Services
  • McKee Fisk
  • Social Science
  • Grosse Industrial Tech
  • North Gym
  • South Gym
  • Engineering East
  • Science 1
  • University Center
  • Frank Thomas

DHW Upgrades Locations