Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.17
Liaison Chris Frantsvog
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Luther College
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.79 / 6.00 Jay Uthoff
Director of Facilities
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Grid-purchased electricity 45,606 MMBtu 52,437 MMBtu
Electricity from on-site renewables 3,397 MMBtu 0 MMBtu
District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) 0 MMBtu 0 MMBtu
Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) 100,147 MMBtu 112,109 MMBtu
Total 149,150 MMBtu 164,546 MMBtu

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year June 1, 2017 May 31, 2018
Baseline Year June 1, 2003 May 31, 2004

A brief description of when and why the building energy consumption baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):


2003-2004 was our peak energy usage year. We have continually used this year for all of our comparative data. Luther College continues to make improvements in its use of energy. We have reduced our electricity consumption year over year since 2003. Remarkably, this has been achieved while adding square feet to the campus with a science lab, aquatic center, additional square feet to the Union, and renovation of our old science building.


Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area of building space 1,495,052.36 Gross square feet 1,388,119.40 Gross square feet

Source-site ratio for grid-purchased electricity:
3.14

Total building energy consumption per unit of floor area:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Site energy 0.10 MMBtu per square foot 0.12 MMBtu per square foot
Source energy 0.17 MMBtu per square foot 0.20 MMBtu per square foot

Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
17.22

Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
Degree days (see help icon above)
Heating degree days 7,617.10 Degree-Days (°F)
Cooling degree days 820.20 Degree-Days (°F)

Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
Floor Area
Laboratory space 24,999.99 Square feet
Healthcare space 4,777 Square feet
Other energy intensive space

EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
1,563,759.33 Gross square feet

Building energy consumption (site energy) per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
11.30 Btu / GSF / Degree-Day (°F)

Documentation (e.g. spreadsheet or utility records) to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
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A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency (e.g. outreach and education efforts):

Energy Conservation Program
In February 2010, Luther officially adopted an Energy Conservation Program. A $45,000 grant from the Rocky Mountain Institute funded the creation of the program. The creation of the program developed with consultants from Sebesta Blomberg. Through innovative programming related to energy conservation, we hope to reduce energy consumption two percent per year through behavior change and will continue our work on energy efficiency (three percent per year), as well as larger projects like the wind turbine, biomass project and building improvement projects.

In 2017 and 2018, the Center for Sustainable Communities developed the Baker Energy Monitoring Project. Residents of Baker Village now have access to Energy Genius, a website that allows them to monitor their energy usage. The information displayed on the site is specific to each unit and can display real-time data as well as data from past days and months. Students can also view an anonymous comparison to other units as well as track progress for reducing personal energy consumption. A monthly email report is sent to Baker Village residents, updating them on their energy consumption. This report compares their apartment to other apartments in the Village.

More information on our energy conservation education and outreach initiatives can be found here: https://www.luther.edu/sustainability/energy-climate/conservation/


A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):

Luther College has set its building temperature standards and works diligently to maintain them as close as possible, while also looking at ASHRAE charts for human comfort levels. Currently we operate our DDC controlled buildings with an average 6 degree offset from heating to cooling. We have retrofitted many classrooms, offices, and larger venues with occupancy sensors that integrate with the lighting and HVAC controls.


A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:

Luther College has been installing TLED lamps and drivers as replacements for all fluorescent lamps. We are also installing LED replacement lamps as replacements for our 26 watt to 42 watt compact fluorescent fixtures. Our exit lights are LED. All most all future lighting projects will be LED. Luther College transitioned all 3,040 light bulbs in Preus Library to LED in 2018.


A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:

Luther College utilizes expansive south facing windows for passive solar heating. Baker Village, a 33,632 sq. ft. residence hall utilizes GSHP for heating and cooling and assisting with domestic hot water production. Our Center for the Arts is a 59,825 sq.ft. teaching, studio, and performing arts building that uses GSHP. In addition all ventilation air is exchanged with an air to air heat exchanger.


A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):

We have evaluated the technology and utilized the Energy Resources Center at the University of Illinois to determine a payback. With our utility tariff structure the payback was in the 55 year time frame. We do not utilize CHP at this time.


A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment and systems with high efficiency alternatives (e.g. building re-commissioning or retrofit programs):

Luther participated in a building retro-commissioning program with our local utility. While not completed on every building, the process found many savings opportunities. We have campus-wide policies on Energy Star and EPEAT purchases. (Attached)


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.