Energy Management

Energy Management & Conservation Resources

• Working with Energy Management

  Strategic Imperatives

  The Building & Grounds Committee of the University of Denver Board of Trustees believes it is the responsibility of the Facilities Management & Planning department to ensure that every effort is made to conserve energy and natural resources while practicing sound financial management.

  It is the responsibility of the Director of Facilities Management to develop and maintain an Energy Management Plan, develop specific guidelines, and implement a program designed to achieve the efficient use of energy within the University of Denver, while ensuring a comfortable and pleasant learning atmosphere within each facility.

   

  Shared Accountability

  It is essential that energy guidelines be established and observed for the operation of the heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, other electrical equipment, and water consumption. The Facilities department collects monthly information on energy usage at each facility or group of facilities, tracking and reporting their total gas, electric, and water consumption.

  All members of the University community are expected to implement the guidelines in the areas they occupy. 

   

  Best Practice

  To maintain an environment conducive to the educational objective of the University, the classroom temperature, when occupied, should be no higher than 70 degrees during the heating season and no lower than 72 degrees during the cooling season.

  View a List of Conservation Efforts You Can Adapt and Share.

• Energy Conservation

   

  • Avoid using personal space heaters. Such heating units use a lot of energy, cause breakers to trip, and are dangerous if left unattended. One space heater can consume the same amount of power that it would take to run 56 four-foot fluorescent lamps.
     
  • Turn off lights when leaving offices, classrooms, and conference rooms where safe and practical.
     
  • Turn off PCs, monitors, printers, copiers, coffee pots, and lights every night and on weekends. If you can't turn off the whole computer, turn off the monitor and the printer. Enable the sleep settings on your computer monitor.
     
  • If appropriate, use ink-jet printers; they consume 95% less energy than laser printers. Similarly, laptops use 90% less energy than desktop computers. When purchasing PCs, monitors, printers, fax machines, and copiers, look for Energy Star models.
     
  • In your dorm or apartment, unplug appliances that are not being used. Most idle appliances such as TVs, stereo equipment, and microwaves continue to consume energy when switched off and account for about 5% of the total domestic energy consumption.
     
  • Close blinds and windows after sunset in the winter to keep the heat in. Leave the blinds open during summer days instead of turning on extra lights.
     
  • Take shorter showers. Showers account for two thirds of water heating costs.
     
  • Run full loads of laundry instead of partial loads.

   

• Operating Guidelines

  Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

  • Heating and cooling equipment will be activated no earlier than necessary each morning to allow temperatures to reach adequate levels by the time occupants arrive. This operating time will be adjusted for seasonal variations.
     
  • Cooling devices will not be activated before May 1st of each year, and will be turned off by October 1st.
     
  • Seasonal weather patterns and utility billing cycles will be considered.
     
  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment should be turned off within thirty minutes after scheduled activities in the building have ended.
     
  • Exhaust fans will be turned off when a building is not occupied.
     
  • The Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management & Planning will coordinate with the HVAC Shop Foreman, Electric Shop Foreman, and HVAC staff to develop a plan for turning the HVAC units on in phases to prevent unnecessary electrical demands.
     
  • It is the responsibility of faculty and staff to close all windows and outside doors when the HVAC system is operating.
     
  • It is the responsibility of faculty and staff to close all windows and outside doors when the HVAC system is operating.

   

  Lighting Equipment

  • Refrain from turning lights on unless needed.
     
  • All unnecessary lighting in unoccupied areas should be turned off.
     
  • All lights will be turned off when students and faculty leave the classrooms.
     
  • Outside lights will be turned off during daylight hours.
     
  • Custodians will only light the specific area in which they are working.

   

  Electrical Equipment

  • Computers should be operated according to computer guidelines.
     
  • Electrical office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, coffee pots, etc. should be turned off when not in use.

   

  Gas-Fired Equipment

  • Boilers and pilot lights will be turned off in those buildings without reheat coils or domestic hot water demands.