San Francisco State University
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency

The baseline year of fiscal year 2016-2017 was used as the performance year in the last STARS report and was reused for that purpose of consistency. There were reductions due to efficiency but also partly due to the campus closure due to Covid. All 3 of the past years have seen reductions due to fewer in person classes and fewer residents.

SF State uses an energy dashboard to display usage on an individual building and whole campus basis. Building managers can use this feedback to adjust management strategies and educate their inhabitants. SF State's Facilities department monitors usage and checks on any spikes or anomalies in data to find opportunities to repair issues or replace inefficient equipment.
https://sustain.sfsu.edu/node/12

SF State's Facilities department uses a building automation system to monitor HVAC systems energy performance throughout campus.

SF State uses occupancy sensors for lighting throughout campus. New lighting installations include daylight harvesting and central controls.

SF State has begun to retrofit campus lighting from fluorescents to LEDs that include features like daylight harvesting, motion sensors, central controls, and timers. Spaces on campus that use LED lighting include: the SF State Parking Garage, Fine Arts Gallery, President's Office, Facilities office, Capital Planning Office, waste management, and interior and exterior lighting at the Mashouf Wellness Center, The Marcus Hall Liberal and Creative Arts Building, and Manzanita Square. The new buildings being built as of 2023 (science building and new housing project) are highly efficient all-electric buildings.

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The SF State Sustainable Development Framework requires all contractors to specify energy efficient appliances in new construction and in building retrofits. All new construction adheres to the standards of LEED gold or higher. Facilities staff are constantly performing preventative maintenance and retrofitting older equipment.

https://www.csus.edu/experience/innovation-creativity/sustainability/_internal/sustainability-policy-2022.pdf
SFSU adheres to the CSU Sustainability policy that outlines the requirement of:
1. To minimize use of natural gas, campuses will transition from fossil-fuel sourced equipment to electric equipment as replacements or renovations are needed. Any in-kind fossil-fuel sourced equipment will be justified through an analysis which demonstrates why that solution represents the most cost-effective option and what alternatives were analyzed for comparative purposes. The intention of this item shall be limited to no new investment in, or renewal of, natural gas assets or infrastructure as part of campus projects starting July 1, 2035, with the exception of critical academic program needs.
2. All CSU buildings and facilities, regardless of the source of funding for their operation, will be operated in the most energy efficient manner and transition to a low carbon strategy without endangering public health and safety and without diminishing the quality of education and the academic program.
All CSU campuses shall continue to identify energy efficiency and carbon reduction improvement measures to the greatest extent possible, undertake steps to seek funding for their implementation and, upon securing available funds, expeditiously implement the measures.
3. The CSU will cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and other appropriate organizations in accomplishing energy conservation, and carbon reduction, and utilities management objectives throughout the state; and inform students, faculty, staff and the general public of the need for and methods of energy conservation, and carbon reduction, and utilities management.
4. Each CSU campus shall designate an energy/utilities staff with the responsibility and the authority for carrying out energy conservation and utilities management programs.