Energy management
Carbon dioxide monitoring and control
Western Michigan University uses the latest carbon dioxide monitoring technology in all of its newly constructed buildings and facilities to maintain a high degree of indoor air quality.
Daylight harvesting
Daylight must be properly integrated with the electric lighting system for its energy-savings potential to be realized. A primary strategy, called daylight harvesting, is to use lighting controls that switch or dim the lights either manually or automatically in response to available daylight.
Heat recovery system
At the Western Michigan University Lawson Ice Arena and Natatorium, a heat recovery unit reclaims heat from the ice arena chillers and uses it to heat the building's Olympic size swimming pool.
Installation of high-efficiency motors
Western Michigan University currently purchases high-efficiency motors whenever possible. The cumulative energy savings as well as reduced maintenance costs contribute to overall savings that may be funneled into green projects elsewhere on campus.
LED conversion for exit lights
In 2005, Western Michigan University completed a retrofit of all exit signs on campus, converting from older incandescent models to light emitting diode versions. The average power required for older incandescent signs was 50 watts. The newer LED versions require only 1.8 watts on average.
Loading shedding for electric chillers
At Western Michigan University, we systematically shut down our on campus electric chillers to reduce loading on the electric utility grid during peak demand hours. Doing so reduces the demand on the public electric utilities while offsetting large volumes of greenhouse gasses each year.
Occupancy sensors for lighting and HVAC
One of the fastest and easiest ways to lower energy costs and the associated environmental impact is to reduce electricity use. Energy-efficient upgrades can provide the University with long-term savings and make campus operations more sustainable. One such upgrade that you may have noticed here on campus are occupancy motion sensors for lights in many campus buildings.
Preventative maintenance program
Preventative maintenance of steam traps throughout Western Michigan University is a full-time job. Regular maintenance can prevent high pressure blow-through at the traps and detect steam line problems before they become costly.
Reduction in CFC and HCFC usage on campus
Western Michigan University is doing its part to reduce ozone depletion by eliminating the use of chlorofluorocarbons in all refrigeration units on campus.
Time-of-day scheduling
Controlling lighting and HVAC through the use of time-of-day scheduling and the building automation system allows the Facilities Management staff to define normal occupancy hours for individual buildings and facilities on campus.
Variable air flow for HVAC systems
Variable air volume boxes are added to the HVAC systems in many of the buildings to control air flow to individual rooms or spaces. Use of VAV technology controlled by the building automation system generated savings in heating and cooling while maintaining a comfortable interior environment for a buildings occupants.
Variable frequency drives for HVAC systems
Occupancy sensors can be used in tandem with the building automation system to create smart rooms. In this scenario, a room becomes aware that it is occupied and adjusts the interior environment accordingly.
Lighting conversion: T12-to-T8, HID-to-CFL, Incandescent-to-CLF
T12-to-T8 conversion
Older linear fluorescent ballast technology is inefficient and requires more power to operate. Western Michigan University has overseen the replacement of older T12 type magnetic ballasts with the newer more efficient T8 electronic ballasts throughout campus.
HID-to-CFL conversion
Converting our metal halide high intensity discharge fixtures to compact fluorescent lamps has generated long-term energy reduction and labor savings for multifunctional facilities on campus.
Incandescent-to-CFL conversion
In an effort to reduce energy costs associated with lighting, the first response is to replace screw type incandescent bulbs with energy efficient compact florescent lamps. At Western Michigan University we look for any opportunity to replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs in buildings and facilities on campus.