Berea College
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

We are finding it confusing to enter different baseline and reporting years for those areas in STARS that require it; therefore, our rationale is to find the most reliable data across all data point in STARS in a given year for our baseline, and use that. For us, that is 2013-2014. Our hope is that future STARS reports will be more easily understood by any new staff charged with STARS reporting.

Energy and water reduction strategies are included in our Green Office Certification efforts and points provided: Green Office Certification Checklist Energy 33 Points Possible, 3 Bonus ENERGY and WATER Lighting ___Our office has reminders to turn off lights when they are not in use (1) ___Energy-efficient lightbulbs (LEDs) are installed in all task lamps & applicable building lighting (2) ___We ask all staff to utilize natural daylight in offices with windows, turning off overhead lighting when possible (1) ___We do not have windows ___The lights in our vending machines are turned off (2) ___We do not have a vending machine in our building Equipment ___Our office has reminders to turn off computer monitors on nights and weekends (1) ___Our office is equipped with Energy Star/EPEAT-rated products (3) ___Our office has conducted an appliance audit and eliminated any unnecessary appliances (3) ___There are no refrigerators or other appliances older than 7 years in use by our office (3) ___Controls to our office’s thermostats are set at the recommended settings of 65-68°F in winter and 78°F in summer (2) (This is standard for buildings connected to the centralized thermostat control system, however some buildings can control their thermostats.) ___ Signage for office thermostat recommended settings is posted. (1) ___We have a system (timer, reminders, assigned person, and/or power strips with switches) for turning off applicable equipment at night including desk and kitchen appliances (i.e. printers and coffee makers) and other applicable office appliances (2) ____ Procedures for housekeeping staff include checking all lights are turned off, and thermostats are set to recommend settings. (3) ___BONUS: Our bathrooms are equipped with hand dryers (3) Water ___Office ensures only low flow faucets are installed (2) ___Office posts signage next to dishwasher for water and energy saving tips (1) ___ Office does not have a dishwasher ___Office staff are aware of the importance of reporting running toilets and leaking faucets (2) ___Office posts signage with water saving tips (1) ___Office does not purchase bottled water (3)

Berea College uses building automation systems such as JCI and ALC in a number of buildings to regulate temperatures based on occupancy schedules. For example Lincoln and Emery. In all LEED Certified Residence Halls, windows have a sensor when shut HVAC operates normally, open windows, HVAC shuts off.

Berea College has just competed a year long upgrade of nearly all of its exterior campus lighting to LED. This lighting retrofit is in addition to similar upgrades to LED made inside the campus buildings over the last few years. Together, these efforts have dramatically reduced the amount of electricity and cost associated with lighting for the college - estimated at a 65% reduction in both.

After conducting an energy use study in all residence halls for individual dorm refrigerators, it was determined that the college would save money by furnishing all first year residence halls with one, Energy Star dorm refrigerator per room. Up until 2015, there was no policy in place to limit the number and types of refrigerators allowed. The majority were not Energy Star, and some rooms contained two. Additionally many fridges were abandoned at the end of the year, found in dumpsters. Now, we have reduced our energy consumption and, in addition, have stopped the need for incoming first year's to purchase a fridge each year.

Data regarding natural gas consumption and #2 fuel oil for buildings on campus (entered in "Energy from all other sources") are placeholder numbers; the totals for both the baseline and performance year are based on natural gas consumption and fuel oil use during CY 2016. This was the only data regarding use of heating and cooking fuels in our buildings available at the time of submission, and it allows our total energy usage for both years to be reasonable approximations of reality.