University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Medical Campus
OP-T2-13: Timers for Temperature Control

The university meets this credit by the use of timers in the BAS systems to schedule Air Handler operation or Space Temperature setback in almost every building on both campuses. A Building Automation System (BAS) for the University of Colorado Denver and the Anschutz Medical Campus uses computer panels to control building mechanical systems such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning. Inputs such as temperature sensors tell the system about the conditions of the space and the equipment. Then outputs from the system control the equipment. The control strategies are accomplished by the computer instead of with physical control components. This allows a wide variety of control strategies resulting in greater energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Auditoriums and classrooms can be easily scheduled from a single workstation instead of walking to each piece of equipment and adjusting time clocks. The computer can estimate how long it will take to get the space comfortable each day so the equipment can be turned on closer to when needed. Equipment can be programmed to heat or cool the space as quickly and efficiently as possible further reducing the time the equipment needs to be on. Turning off equipment when it is not needed, matching the operation of the equipment more closely to the actual needs of the space, avoiding heating and cooling at the same time are some of the ways a BAS optimizes equipment control.