Syracuse University
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency

The baseline was adapted to go along with our Climate Action Plan.

Sustainability Initiatives at SU

• Guest Lectures for Students: Sustainability Management staff are regularly invited to classrooms to engage with students on topics such as sustainability, energy conservation, and how small individual changes can contribute to a more sustainable campus and personal lifestyle.

• Departmental Staff Education: Sustainability Management staff provide lectures for university departmental staff, focusing on sustainability and energy conservation practices that promote greener behaviors on campus and in personal life.

• Online Presence and Resources: Sustainability Management maintains a robust website and active social media presence, offering tips and guidance for reducing energy use and promoting sustainability in offices, classrooms, and residence halls.

• Collaborative Class Projects: We partner with professors to create class projects that align with sustainability efforts and foster a sustainability-focused campus culture.

• Updated Educational Materials: Each year, we refresh our sustainability pamphlets and recycling guides to keep the campus community informed and up-to-date.

• National Climate Action Participation: SU proudly participated in the White House’s American Campuses Act on Climate Day of Action, demonstrating our commitment to addressing climate change.

• Divestment from Fossil Fuels: The university has formally committed to prohibiting direct investments in coal and fossil fuel industries as part of its ongoing sustainability initiatives.

• RecycleMania Participation: As part of the national RecycleMania (Waste to Zero) competition, we continue to encourage and remind the campus community to integrate sustainable habits into their daily lives.

Efficient Campus Building Systems and Energy Management

Our campus building systems are designed to run efficiently while meeting the needs of their occupants. From installing automated controls in all buildings, to troubleshooting, and replacing equipment, much of our work happens behind the scenes—yet the results are very tangible.

• 24-Hour Energy Management Operations Center: Our operations center team monitors and schedules heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, and building access control systems across campus buildings. They also provide after-hours maintenance dispatch from Facilities Services.

• Energy Management Systems (EMS): We ensure the continuous maintenance and operation of automated heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and building access (security) control systems. This allows for enhanced efficiency and occupant comfort.

• Orange Automation: This team manages the installation of new automated HVAC, lighting, and security control systems in both new and existing buildings, continually improving our campus infrastructure.

• Temperature Guidelines: The university has established temperature guidelines to balance comfort and energy efficiency. During the heating season (September 15–May 15), occupied spaces are set to 68°F, during the cooling season (May 16–September 14), spaces are set to 76°F, where air conditioning equipment is available.

• Orange Appreciation Days: During winter break, the university observes Orange Appreciation Days, providing all campus employees with paid time off. During this period, most campus buildings—except for research buildings, laboratories, and art/book archives—are set back to 60°F, conserving energy during the coldest months of the year.

Campus Lighting and Energy Efficiency Initiatives

• LED and Daylighting in Parking Garages: All campus parking garages have been upgraded with energy-efficient LED lighting and daylighting technologies to enhance visibility and reduce energy consumption.

• Center of Excellence (CoE) Energy Optimization: The CoE building was designed with energy efficiency in mind. To maximize southern exposure and minimize solar energy loss during colder months, the tower section is rotated 13 degrees from the urban street grid, optimizing solar energy use.

  • CoE Windows: The south-facing façade features highly insulated glass with electronically controlled blinds, capable of adjusting in 15-degree increments. These blinds provide both solar heat and glare control, while ceramic white dots on the windows passively reduce glare and solar heat gain.

  • CoE Lighting: The building uses high-efficiency compact fluorescent and LED lighting throughout, controlled by a daylight harvesting system that automatically dims lights based on available daylight. Additionally, occupancy sensors ensure lights shut off when rooms are not in use, further enhancing energy efficiency.

• Campus-Wide LED Lighting Upgrades: The university has completed the installation of LED lighting fixtures for all exterior lighting across campus, improving energy savings and reducing maintenance needs.

• Ongoing Lighting Replacement: The university is replacing all traditional and fluorescent lighting with LED lighting across campus. It is standard practice to upgrade or retrofit lighting to LEDs during any renovation or construction of new buildings.

In 2013, 240 solar thermal panels were added to 20 building roofs serving 160 three-bedroom South Campus apartments. A total of 40 systems, six panels per system, were installed to save energy by using the sun instead of electricity to heat the potable water in each unit.

In 2020, 139 panels were installed on the roof of the Schine Student Center, which hold a total capacity of 50 kW. The system has generated 50,000 kWh annually. To put that number into context, the average home in the United States consumes approximately 11,000 kWh per year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The solar power production at the Schine Student Center will be roughly equal to the energy consumed by five residential homes. The power generated by the panels is fed into the building distribution system and reduces the facility’s demand for electricity.

 
Center of Excellence, Coe, windows are on the south façade feature highly insulated glass with integrated electronically controlled blinds that provide solar heat and glare control, capable of operation at 15-degree increments. The ceramic white dots on the windows passively reduce glare and solar heat gain.

Coe also is heated and cooled using geothermal energy.

Sustainable Building and Renovation Practices

For all new construction and renovation projects, the University adheres to LEED standards, ensuring sustainable and energy-efficient practices are followed. This includes low-energy-consuming appliances, equipment, and high-efficiency alternatives, furthering our commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental footprint.