Building metering initiative making strides on West Lafayette campus
October 21, 2014
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Gerald D. and Edna E. Mann Hall is fully metered, and the data gathered to date from the building has allowed Physical Facilities staff to make adjustments that allow for more efficient heating and cooling. |
An energy metering project is underway on the West Lafayette campus that will ultimately help inform faculty, staff and students of the levels of energy being consumed in the buildings they visit frequently.
Led by Physical Facilities, the program is installing the infrastructure necessary to gather building-specific energy consumption data. The implementation of metering installation began in 2013 and is aligned with the University's Comprehensive Energy Master Plan.
To date, over 530 total meters have been installed on chilled water, domestic water, condensate and electrical systems, and Physical Facilities is already using this data to evaluate energy consumption, identify and implement conservation measures and confirm energy savings.
Eventually, in order to raise awareness of energy use on campus, building occupants will have access to the metering data.
"In the future, we hope this program will help everyone to become better energy consumers," says Bob Olson, university engineer. "By being able to see the metering data, building occupants can focus their efforts on the behavior changes that will have the greatest impact."
Upon the estimated project completion in fall 2015, over 140 buildings will have energy meters.
"The foundation of energy conservation is data-driven management," Olson says. "We're excited for the additional opportunities that will come from the metering data."
