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Energy Conservation
Guides
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Introduction
The University at Buffalo has a nationally recognized energy conservation program.
Energy conservation on campus saves state tax dollars and reduces environmental impacts associated with energy production and consumption. The University at Buffalo has established campus energy policies to provide comfort conditions in support of the University’s educational mission while maintaining UB’s energy conservation efforts. These policies seek to balance customer service, cost-efficiency and environmental concerns.
UB’s Heating Policy
Room Temperature
The University’s heating policy calls for UB facilities to be heated to 68 degrees during normal occupied hours. During off-hours, temperatures may be allowed to drop as cold as 55 degrees (though this temperature is rarely reached before heating is resumed).
In implementing this policy, University Facilities strives to make all spaces as close to 68 degrees without being less than that threshold. In practical terms, this means temperatures may be in the 68 – 70 degree range. Heat generated by sunlight, equipment, or (in the case of South Campus) warm pipes may result in higher localized temperatures. Temperatures in the 68 -- 70 degree range should be comfortable for most people who are dressed appropriate to the season.
Temperature readings are taken at the thermostat or desk level.
To report over- or under-heating, please call University Facilities Customer Services at 645-2025 or "71" from any campus phone. These complaints will be responded to within 24 hours. Complaints about heating policy implementation or discomfort caused by cold floors or drafts should be addressed to University Facilities Utilities Manager John Russo (645-2205*11, jrusso@facilities.buffalo.edu) or Energy Officer Walter Simpson (829-2515, wsimpson@facilities.buffalo.edu).
Off-hours Heating
UB’s heating policy states that University Facilities will utilize the most energy efficient means of supplying heat for approved off-hours heating requests. This may mean temporarily providing occupants with portable space heaters. As a conservation measure, Facilities seeks to minimize the use of central fan systems during off-hours, consistent with the academic needs of the University. Off-hours heating requests can be made by contacting University Facilities Customer Services at 645-2025 or "71" from any campus phone .
Why Conserve Energy
Energy conservation has been called the "least-cost" energy strategy, and for good reason. At UB, energy conservation measures are saving in excess of $9 million in energy costs annually.
But energy conservation does more than just save money. It reduces environmental and social costs as well.
Energy conservation mitigates the numerous adverse environmental and social impacts associated with energy production and consumption. These include air pollution, acid rain and global warming, oil spills and water pollution, loss of wilderness areas, construction of new power plants, foreign energy dependence and the risk of international conflict over energy supplies.
Portable Heaters
Portable heaters may only be used if authorized by University Facilities. The heating policy explains that these may be authorized when they are the most economical way of achieving temperature policy goals for occupied or off-hours operation.
UB Air Conditioning Policy
Room Temperature
The University’s air conditioning policy calls for UB air conditioned facilities to be cooled to 76 degrees during normal occupied hours. During off-hours, temperatures may rise above this level.
In implementing this policy, University Facilities seeks to ensure that all air conditioned spaces are as close to 76 degrees as possible without being higher than that threshold. In practical terms, this means temperatures may be in the 74-76 degree range. Some buildings may have areas where temperatures are cooler than 74-76 degrees because computer labs in the same fan zone require extra cooling to achieve 76 degrees. Providing that extra cooling requires colder-than-normal fan discharge temperatures which can cause other areas in the same fan zone to run cooler.
Temperature readings are taken at the thermostat or desk level.
To report over-cooling or under-cooling, please call University Facilities Customer Services at 645-2025 or "71" from any campus phone. These complaints will be responded to within 24 hours. Complaints about air conditioning policy implementation should be addressed to Utilities Manager John Russo (645-2205*11 jrusso@facilities.buffalo.edu) or Energy Officer Walter Simpson (829-2515, wsimpson@facilities.buffalo.edu).
Please Help Us with Computer-Related Cooling Problems
Computers generate heat during normal operation and this imposes additional cooling loads on building air conditioning systems. Cooling problems have increased on campus because of the proliferation of computers and the creation of computer labs and computer server rooms in spaces which were not originally designed for these air conditioning loads. These problems can be partially solved by computer users and computer lab managers if they would implement these simple energy conservation measures:
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Turn computers, monitors and printers on only as needed and turn off when not actively in use.Computer labs need not have all computers on when use is sparse. Even if computers must be on, monitors can be switched off unless actively in use (including monitors for servers). Don’t leave equipment on continuously unless it is continuously in use. |
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Make sure all computers, monitors and laser printers have their energy management features enabled. Enabling these features is generally very easy and quick. Consult your computer’s operating manual or (for PCs) see http://wings.buffalo.edu/ubgreen/energyconservation/power_save.html. If you need more help, contact the UB Green Office at 829-3535. |
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Use desk jet printers whenever possible. These are low wattage and give off much less heat than laser printers. |
For a copy of "The University at Buffalo’s Guide to Green Computing," please contact the UB Green Office (see page 14). Complaints about inadequate air conditioning of computer rooms should be directed to University Facilities Customer Services at 645-2025 or "71" from any campus phone.
Reheat Operation
"Reheats" are heating coils which (during the cooling season) can be used to heat up air conditioned air which is too cold for distribution into occupied spaces. Supercooling air and then reheating it is very expensive -- though is sometimes necessary in laboratory buildings where dehumidification is required and in fan zones with uneven cooling loads. UB’s air conditioning policy calls for minimizing the use of reheats. Minimizing reheat operations may mean running some dehumidified spaces cooler than 74-76 degrees.
Off-hours Air Conditioning
During off-hours, air conditioning will be turned off – unless required for academic purposes. Off-hours cooling requests can be made by contacting University Facilities Customer Services at 645-2025 or "71" from any campus phone.
Other UB Energy Policies
The University at Buffalo has two other energy policies.
The Electricity Purchasing Policy calls on UB to make sure electricity purchases in the new deregulated electric market are undertaken in a manner which reinforces our energy conservation program. The policy requires UB to make sure rate structures provide appropriate incentives for conservation and to explore electricity purchasing agreements which include, as a value-added component, energy efficiency services. The policy also calls on the University to explore options for purchasing "green power" from environmentally friendly renewable energy sources.
The University’s Sustainable Energy Policy is a comprehensive policy which brings together all our energy policies and commits UB’s energy program to a process of continuous improvement. Among others things, this policy calls on UB to:
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Seek to achieve additional conservation savings of 20% by the year 2010 (compared to energy consumption in 2000). |
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Strengthen its commitment to principles of environmentally sustainable green building design for all new construction and major renovations. |
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Minimize SOX, NOX and CO2 emissions from campus fossil fuel burning equipment. Eliminate campus reliance on coal in the MacKay Power Plant. |
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Develop a carbon dioxide emission reduction plan and measure annual progress. Seek reductions far in excess of Kyoto Global Warming Treaty requirements which call on the United States to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8% by 2010 (compared to 1990 levels). |
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Explore and act on opportunities to employ renewable energy technologies. |
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Reassess campus transportation needs and planning in light of the need to reduce energy use and energy-related emissions. |
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Operate campus buses and campus fleet vehicles on natural gas or other clean alternative fuel beyond legally mandated levels. |
Governor’s Executive Order on Energy Efficiency
On June 10, 2001, New York Governor George Pataki issued Executive Order 111, "Directing State Agencies to Be More Energy Efficient and Environmentally Aware." This Executive Order reinforces UB energy policy and requires all State agencies to do the following:
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Implement energy conservation measures and reduce energy consumption in all buildings by 35% by 2010 compared to 1990. |
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Exceed State energy codes and utilize green building design principles for all new construction and major renovations. |
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Purchase only energy efficient products, appliances and equipment. |
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Buy electricity generated by environmentally friendly renewable energy sources. |
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Accelerate the purchase of clean alternatively fueled fleet vehicles. |
UB gladly accepts this mandate and challenge.
For More Info
A profile of UB’s energy conservation program is available at:
http://wings.buffalo.edu/ubgreen/content/programs/energyconservation/reportenergyconsv.html
Additional information about University heating and cooling system operations is available at the University Facilities website. Please see:
http://wings.buffalo.edu/services/fac/fo/utility.htm
For more information about UB’s campus environmental programs, including energy conservation, recycling and waste reduction, see the UB Green website at: http://wings.buffalo.edu/ubgreen. This website also contains the text of all campus environmental policies, including the four energy policies referenced in this handout.
For copies of our "Think Green" and "Green Computing" booklets and other campus environmental resources, please contact:
UB Green Office
University Facilities
Service Building
SUNY Buffalo (South Campus)
220 Winspear Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14215
Phone- (716) 829-3535 or (716) 829-2515
Fax- (716) 829-2704
E-mail- wsimpson@facilities.buffalo.edu
Some Energy Conservation Tips
Lights
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Turn off unused or unneeded lights. |
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Use natural lighting instead of electric lighting. |
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Do not use incandescent and halogen fixtures. |
Heating and Cooling
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Keep thermostats at 68 in the winter and 76 in the summer. |
Windows and Doors
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Keep closed in air conditioned and heated areas. |
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Automatic door switches for handicap use only. |
Computers, Monitors, and Printers
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Keep off unless in use. |
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Enable power management "sleep mode" features. |
Other Equipment
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Purchase only energy-efficient models. |
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Keep off unless in use. |
Report energy waste to Facilities Customer Service by calling 645-2025 or "71" from any campus phone.
Downloadable version:
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