University of Idaho
IN-27: Innovation D

A number of office buildings and residence halls on the UI campus pre-date the installation of central cooling systems. During the hot summer months, these buildings can become uncomfortable for occupants. To provide a more comfortable working/living environment many departments are installing energy intensive window air conditioners. In an effort to reduce energy use, capture cost and carbon saving, and reduce interior temperatures, the Facilities Energy Manager has partnered with Architecture Faculty and undergraduate students in 2016-2017 to tackle this problem through applied learning and research. Students researched energy consumption in the United States by building sector, heating and cooling costs associated with single pane windows, and the cost constraints of replacing single-paned windows with energy efficient options. Students used HOBO environmental robots (small data loggers) to gather data from two offices. A control office and a second office with NanoTint applied to the windows. NanoTint is a clear thermal insulation coating developed by Drywired. The coating reportedly blocks 99.9% UV rays, 95% of infrared rays, while maintaining 78% of visible light, which makes it ideal for single-pane glass windows and polycarbonate surfaces. After considering a combination of passive and/or technological solutions, students presented findings to Facilities engineers in 2017. They concluded, “The most financially conservative solution for the test case, Shoup Hall, would be to simply plant trees in combination with exterior shading devices. A second option, easily adaptable to a variety of architectural building styles on campus, is to apply window NanoTint. Nano tint appears to be the most cost-effective option”. Next steps include gathering additional room temperature data to verify these conclusions.

Fred Pollard, Energy Manager, Facilities--Utilities and Engineering Services