Sustainability

How can we do our part to slow global warming and ensure a brighter future? By addressing energy waste in our lighting and cooling systems. Through initiatives big and small, the college is working to reduce its energy consumption and shrink the size of its carbon footprint.

A Brighter Future

A well-lighted room makes for a good study space, but the College takes a dim view of energy waste. To keep our energy use under control, the College is employing:

• LED light fixtures that save energy and last longer, requiring less maintenance and less waste.
• "Low-E" and high shading coefficient glass to reflect heat while allowing ample light inside of structures.
• Occupancy sensors that keep the lights on when they're needed and turn them off when they aren't.
• Daylight harvesting systems that reduce energy use by dimming lights when natural daylight is available.

A Cooler Planet

It's hot and getting hotter. Our goal is to keep things cooler by using smarter air conditioning and heating systems. Here's how we reining in our energy use:

• Special roof coatings that substantially reduce "heat island" effects by reflecting the sunlight that would otherwise increase heat inside a structure. This can reduce annual air-conditioning usage by as much as 15 percent.
• High efficiency chillers with energy use of 0.5 kW/ton or less. In addition to being efficient, these units also qualify for FPL rebates.
• Variable Frequency Drives for chillers, cooling tower fans and chilled water pumps. By varying input frequency and voltage, VFDs can adjust reduce their load when demand is low. This is more energy efficient than the all-or-nothing operation found in conventional systems.
• Optimization software programs that maximize chiller efficiency, particularly under part-load conditions.
• Carbon dioxide monitors that regulate ventilation rates depending on the building's occupancy levels.
• Tankless-type water heaters that heat water only when needed. Tankless heaters are more energy efficient than traditional systems that continuously heat tanks of stored water.