Tufts University
OP-8: Building Energy Consumption

A computerized energy management system regulates temperatures based on occupied hours and/or in conjunction with occupancy sensors in all major Tufts University facilities. 7-day programmable thermostats are used in other facilities.

Tufts' temperature policy can be found at:
http://sustainability.tufts.edu/tufts-university-temperature-policy/

The main parking garage located at 419 Boston Avenue was the retrofitted with LED lighting in 2008. It was the first of its kind in Massachusetts. The first generation LEDs began to fail toward the end of their fourth year. The installation was replaced with new, more efficient LEDs in 2013.

The Art Gallery at the Aidekman Art Center utilizes LED track lighting to light their exhibits.

A19 LED lamps were given to each Tufts student at the start of the 2012 academic year.

Incoming freshman were offered A19 LED lamps at the start of the 2013 and 2014 academic years. Countless screw-in lamps have been replaced with LEDs.

Brown and Brew, a campus coffee shop, was retrofitted with LED lighting in 2009.

LED lights were used in long run hour locations in the renovation of the Facilities Services building (2011) and the new Tisch Sports and Fitness Center.

On the Medford campus, 81 post top site lights were retrofitted with LEDs during the fall of 2014. 128 additional post top site lights were retrofitted with LEDs during the winter of 2014. Numerous wallpacks were also replaced with LEDs during this time period.

All common space lighting in Hodgdon Residence Hall was changed to LED during the summer of 2014.

LED lights are now routinely installed where appropriate in new construction and renovations, and Facilities is currently reviewing the remaining site lights university-wide for conversion to LED.

Dual technology occupancy sensors are installed in most academic and administrative buildings to turn off lighting when spaces are unoccupied. Sensors are generally installed in all areas except stairwells, hallways, mechanical rooms, and certain laboratories. Occupancy sensors are used in common spaces in residence halls.

Daylight harvesting strategies are used as well.

Where possible, occupancy sensors are also used to set up or set back heating, ventilating and cooling when office or conference spaces are unoccupied during the work day.

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Tufts employs one ground source heat pump to condition a classroom in Lane Hall.

http://now.tufts.edu/articles/ground-geothermal-heating-cooling

Tufts will be installing 4 MWs of cogeneration in a new Central Energy Plant, which is now under construction. It is on track to open in the summer of 2016.

o Tisch Library VAV box retro-commissioning as preparation for Tisch air handler replacements. Various low/no cost repairs and adjustments made to dampers, valves, controllers, coils, sensors and thermostats.
o Large Animal Hospital/Small Animal Hospital retro-commissioning
o 4 Colby retro-commissioning led to several energy improvements
- Returned previously unused heat recovery equipment to operation
- Installation of condensing boilers
- HVAC chiller retrofit project reused an existing 17-year-old chiller by retrofitted it with a newer environmentally friendlier refrigerant and three highly efficient, frictionless, oil-free, magnetic bearing compressors

The Jaharis Center in Boston went through a retro commissioning program during FY14. The project is moving to the low-cost measure implementation phase.

All major buildings are equipped with automated building controls that tie back to a central building automation system (BAS). The BAS allows the use of all types of energy savings strategies including demand control ventilation (CO2 control), outdoor air reset, chiller and boiler optimization, static pressure reset, and lighting control both by schedule and daylight sensor.

ENERGY STAR refrigerators were purchased for residence halls. All washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators in Sofia Gordon Hall (residence hall) are ENERGY STAR rated. ENERGY STAR certified appliances are typically 10-35% more efficient than the average models on the market.

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After using VendingMiser in the past, Tufts has recently (as of 2009) replaced their old machines with new ENERGY STAR qualified machines that use 50% less energy than conventional units, saving on average $150 per machine per year. ENERGY STAR machines achieve these savings-about 1,700 kWh/year-by installing more efficient compressors, fan motors, and lighting systems as well as software that kicks the machines into low-power mode much like the VendingMiser.

The following are excerpts from the May 2013 Campus Sustainability Council Report, Appendix E.

Efficient boilers used in new construction/major renovation:
o Routinely using highly efficient condensing boiler technology when steam is not required
- As a replacement for existing conventional efficiency boilers
• Jean Mayer Administration Building, Grafton
• Hospital for Large Animals and Foster Hospital for Small Animals summer boiler, Grafton
• Science and Technology Center at 4 Colby Street, Medford
• Mayer Campus Center, Medford
• Gifford House, Medford
- In new construction
• Sophia Gordon Hall (supplies Granoff Music Center as well), Somerville
• 80 George Street, Medford
• 58 Winthrop Street, Medford
• Varis Campus Center, Grafton
• Isolation Building, Grafton
• Tisch Fitness Center, Medford
o Boiler controls upgrades for improved boiler control and more efficient operation
- Grafton – Building 20, Hospital for Large Animals and Foster Hospital for Small Animals
- Medford – Central Heating Plant

o The Residence Hall Winter Break Shut-Down is a team effort among Facilities Services, Residential Life, Public Safety and the Office of Sustainability. All unsupervised residence hall rooms are checked to be sure that lights are off, heat is turned down, appliances are off and windows are closed for the month-long winter break
o Variable frequency drives are installed at every feasible opportunity
o Demand control ventilation (CO2 control), outdoor air reset and other energy savings control strategies are applied wherever possible using the Building Automation System
o Aircuity (demand control ventilation) is installed in Arnold Laboratory renovations, floors 5 and 6. The system allows reduction of general exhaust air changes during normal operations, but continuously samples air quality and ramps up air changes in the event of a chemical spill.

o Capital projects
- 520 Boston Avenue renovation included insulated walls, occupancy based lighting, heating and cooling controls, old inefficient air handling equipment replaced by one high performance rooftop air handling unit, new low-e windows, daylight harvesting and careful attention to sustainable material choices.
- Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center includes a high efficiency oil-free variable speed chiller, high efficiency energy recovery enthalpy wheel for areas requiring 100% outside air, an efficient fan wall system with variable frequency drives, a high efficiency summer boiler and a Kone EcoSpace machine-room-less elevator (no oil used and 1/3 the energy of a hydraulic elevator). Electrical efficiency includes daylight harvesting at south facing windows, efficient lighting with dark sky compliant LED site lighting and Energy Star-rated LEDs where appropriate. Occupancy sensors throughout.
- Biology Labs at 200 Boston Avenue includes cutting-edge laboratory energy efficiency approaches with chilled beams, radiant heating, demand control ventilation (Aircuity), energy recovery and high-efficiency chillers

o Deferred maintenance
- Dewick Dining – HVAC equipment replacement designed with highest efficiency equipment
- Cohen Auditorium – HVAC and lighting replacements designed with highest efficiency equipment
- Considerable focus on building envelope improvements including new or refurbished windows and roof replacements. Infrared photography before and after has become standard.
- Windows replaced at:
• BRPH, Boston
• Dental Building, Boston
• Tufts Administration Building, Somerville
• 80 George Street, Medford
• Miller Hall, Medford
- Windows refurbished on the Medford campus at:
• Paige Hall and Miner Hall
• Braker Hall
• East Hall
• West Hall

Performance Year = Fiscal Year 2014
Gross square feet includes Walnut Hill Properties used by Tufts. Walnut Hill Properties is a separate corporation, owned by the university, which manages its real estate.

Building efficiency efforts have been going on since 1990, so this metric only captures a portion of the reduction in energy consumption per gross sq. ft.

Dining Services at Tufts specifically buys the most energy efficient equipment available in the market and periodically audits their operating processes to identify opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption.