Install more than just one electrical meter per building to allow for more detailed analysis of where the energy load is located.
When designing new buildings, consider the following:
With respect to certain new building practices, continue with the following:
Per the 2015 UNK Utilities Master Plan, for compliance with the next update to energy codes, the allowable energy usage for a typical project will be more difficult to achieve without some type of on-site renewable energy. Furthermore, estimated and software modeled energy performance is commonly not the same as actual energy usage, which makes it prudent to be able to create more on-site renewable energy than the modeled energy consumption rate anticipates the building will use. UNK should continue discussions with NPPD and other energy providers regarding incorporation of renewable energy into University Village plans. More specifically
When installing a lighting control system, work toward a system where each fixture has a specific address, can be dimmed based on daylight, scheduled based on occupancy, and controlled from a central building control system.
When incorporating daylighting into lighting system designs, include controls such as daylight sensors, dimmable lighting, and/or more advanced lighting controls/switching that will allow for building lights to be turned off when adequate daylight is available. Per the 2015 Utilities Master Plan, daylighting controls, which could be manual in the past, will now have to be automatic controls. Daylight harvesting with dimming controls has a potential energy impact of 1 - 2 kBtu/ft2/yr.
Adjust lighting timeclocks to meet the needs of occupancy every semester (spring, summer, fall) rather than assuming that lights are needed for extended periods year round.
Create and implement a more formal Indoor Air Quality management program that proactively detects issues and seeks to address them in a quick manner. Continue with pursuit of pilot sensors (e.g. currently considering carbon monoxide sensors) and consider expanding that program to evaluate other common indoor air quality issues such as high levels of carbon dioxide (there is an inverse relationship between CO2 levels and student performance).
Examine whether HVAC fans are rightsized for the load and replace when financially appropriate (likely more relevant for those systems built before 1998).
Develop and implement a more formal schedule to evaluate and resolve air duct leakage.
Over the long run, and when funds are available and when other major renovation work is planned, transition systems from constant volume airhandling systems to variable air volume systems.
Evaluate the possibility of implementing a thermal storage technique in large buildings or on a campus scale.
Per Utilities Master Plan, if UNK has heavy intermittent loads, stagger use of these loads, which happens to a good extent today.