Tertiary Strategies

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Tertiary Strategies

Meters & Controls

Install more than just one electrical meter per building to allow for more detailed analysis of where the energy load is located.

New Design & Construction

When designing new buildings, consider the following:

Design and build to net zero, or include elements that will allow UNK to get to net zero easily when the situation changes (e.g. wire chases to the roof to connect to eventual solar array). AIA 2030 and ASHRAE’s Net Zero energy goals are close to net zero.
Per the 2015 UNK Utilities Master Plan, when considering fuel cells, focus on those that use natural gas for the foreseeable future.

With respect to certain new building practices, continue with the following:

Installation of digital control systems
VAV boxes in every room
Conducting energy models
Per the 2015 UNK Utilities Master Plan, building commissioning should be continued as it is going to be a common part of building projects in the future (due primarily to more stringent energy codes).
And many other strategies that were referenced above, such as LED lighting and occupancy sensors

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

Per the 2015 UNK Utilities Master Plan, when considering photovoltaic, focus on PV roof mount, PV shading structure, and/or PV laminate applications.
Move forward with installation of a California loop heat pump system.
Consider involving students in the study of the effectiveness of renewable systems once plans are more concrete.

Lighting

Lighting control system

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.

Daylighting

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.

Timeclocks

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.

Indoor Air Quality

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).

HVAC

Rightsize HVAC fans

Examine whether HVAC fans are rightsized for the load and replace when financially appropriate (likely more relevant for those systems built before 1998).

Air duct leakage

Develop and implement a more formal schedule to evaluate and resolve air duct leakage.

Variable air volume

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.