The Energy Management Team at the U

The Energy Management Office focuses on identifying specific steps and projects to improve energy efficiency. In combination with major projects such as the cogeneration plant, simple actions such as retro-commissioning HVAC systems, power washing coils, system tunes ups, and behavior modification programs are ongoing steps taken to effectively improve energy efficiency.

The Office spearheaded projects to cut down on energy usage by updating lighting fixtures, retro-commissioning buildings to improve or update HVAC systems, adding or updating lighting control systems.

In addition, a behavioral monitoring program was implemented and is maintained and studies and adjusts building systems and utilities schedules according to occupant use.

Similarly the LEED-Ci remodel of the University Services Building involved many energy efficiency-improving projects. Funds raised from savings initiatives allowed the addition of tubular skylights increasing daylighting to 90% of the occupied space cutting down the need for electrical lighting, and the addition of task lighting and efficient fixtures has yielded a 35% decrease in lighting usage according to ANSI and ASHRAE standards.

Additionally, these savings and grant money awarded to the University of Utah’s energy management office will pay for the installation of Solar panels to provide enough onsite energy production to supply 5-10% of the remodels future power usage.