Having a window open when it's 20 degrees outside used
to be a regular occurrence for residents of Wise Hall.
The problem was that there was only one thermostat on each
floor. That made some rooms so hot that some residents
just opened the window to cool things off.
 |
A NEW VIEW: As part of a partnership between
EMU
and Chevron Energy Solutions, energy efficiency
is
being improved at Brown-Munson Hall (above),
Wise
Hall and the Dining Commons for Hill, Hoyt
and
Pittman halls. All 727 windows
in Brown-Munson are
in the process of being replaced and
will result in an
energy savings of approximately
$30,000 a year
when finished.
|
A partnership between Eastern Michigan University and
Chevron Energy Solutions has changed that and a few other
things on campus, helping improve energy efficiency at
EMU and saving the University money in energy costs.
"We performed energy audits on our buildings and entered
a partnership with Chevron Energy Solutions," said Steven
Moore, energy and sustainability manager at EMU. "We wanted
to address the most pressing issues."
While 16 buildings were part of the audit, priority was
given to three areas with the most immediate needs. Those
included Wise Hall, Brown-Munson Hall and the Dining Commons
for Hill, Hoyt and Pittman Halls.
Wise Hall was the last residence hall on campus to use
steam to heat the building. The old steam system was causing
overheating in many spaces in Wise. Moore said that to
combat that overheating, windows would be opened, even
in very cold weather.
Wise Hall was converted to a hot water system that allowed
thermostats to be placed in each room, giving students
greater control of the climate.
Another pressing issue was the need for a new boiler plant
for Dining Commons III, which affects Hill, Hoyt and Pittman
Halls.
Moore said the condensate line was failing, forcing the
dumping of thousands of gallons of heated water.
The new system, when completed in December, will be more
efficient and should generate a savings of more than $300,000
a year for EMU.
The final project is ongoing and will result in the replacement
of the 727 windows in Brown-Munson. The windows are 50
to 60 years old and well past their useful life, Moore
said. The new windows will not only improve the look of
the building, but will prevent air infiltration, thus reducing
heat gain and loss. This project will save approximately
$30,000 a year when completed next year.
The three projects cost approximately $6.9 million,
but Moore said they would pay for themselves within 10
years.
"With projects like this, we have reduced EMU's energy
budget by $3 million in two years," said Moore. "This is
the first major step in our goal toward sustainability.
It all adds up."
