Energy Conservation : Energy Efficiency Fund : University Memorial Center

Projects for the University Memorial Center were selected based on predominant needs of the building and the students’ wish to see the newly remodeled building certified under LEED (the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This certificate will provide national recognition on the buildings’ energy efficient and renewable energy features. For the campus, the UMC LEED certification will provide a guideline for new green building design on campus.

LEED Certification:

In 1999 the UMC went through a large retrofit in which some of the existing portions of the building were renovated while over 50,000 new square foot of area were added. This large retrofit aimed for a certification from LEED, however, during the last stages of design and construction, the idea was abandoned. The UMC presents many features of a LEED certified building, such as:

• operable high-performance windows,
• recyclable and recycled materials;
• efficient plumbing fixtures;
• efficient lighting and lighting controls (i.e. motion sensors, dimming);
• daylighting;
• efficient O&M of HVAC system, etc.

For this reason, the University Memorial Center is a prone candidate to receive the certification, now under the new LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings).

While the certification will not provide savings, it will provide an example on campus for green design, with educational material that will be used for visitors and students alike. The certification process is also helping to organize certain operational and management guidelines that will continue to be used for years.

Solar Film on Windows:

Another project that benefited many occupants was the installation of a solar film over selected west and south facing windows over the original portion of the building. Solar film blocks the UV-rays that are detrimental to furniture and carpet, while reducing solar heat gains due to direct sunlight. Because they block unwanted “light,” solar film also reduces glare near the window.

Insulation:

We will also use the Energy Efficiency Fund to help insulate selected areas of the existing UMC roof. This project will help reduce heating and cooling loads, and will provide significant savings.

Solar Panel Rack:

A portion of the fund will also be used to purchase a rack system for the newly installed solar panels on the building.

A breakdown of the projects’ total cost (excluding the solar panel rack) and estimated savings are shown below:

 

UMC

 

SOLAR FILM

LEED

INSULATE EXIST'G ROOF

energy efficient case

south and east windows

addition

south terrace*

cost of project

$4,500

$7,000

$20,000

life cycle cost

$ 25,788

 

$ 7,007,2161

base case

 

 

 

capital cost

$ -

 

 

life cycle cost

$ 31,773

 

$ 7,184,100

total life cost $$ savings

$ 5,985

 

$ 176,884

total KWh/year saved

7,374

 

1544 MMBtu & 12338 KWh

Expected Impact

improved occupancy comfort, reduced energy consumption

create baseline for new green building design and construction on campus

reduce heating and cooling loads

* $20,000 expected to pay for a 1/3 of the total roof insulation

1 This is the whole building energy use rather than just the local energy use. The estimate has been taken from a generated computer simulation program.

For More Information about the Energy Efficiency Fund, click on any of the following links:

• OVERVIEW
• WARDENBURG
• RECREATIONAL CENTER
• FY 04-05 COST SUMMARY
• GOALS AND FUTURE PROJECTS