University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
OP-7: Building Energy Consumption

The performance year is FY 2010. The University recently began its vigorous building recommissioning process in 2009 through the It All Adds Up program. With this program, they will recommission approximately 40 buildings on campus per year, achieving a 5-15% energy reduction per building. Buildings will then be recommissioned every five years to ensure proper functioning. Recommissioning typically includes adjusting fan schedules, installing room occupancy sensors, upgrading HVAC equipment, and other retrofits. During fiscal year 2010, the University was able to reduce its energy consumption by 5%, saving $2.6 million annually and releasing 25,000 tons less CO2 emissions. The University also reached its FY11 goal of reducing energy consumption another 5%, avoiding $2 million more in energy costs. The U has committed to another 5% reduction during FY2012. The campus also hosts two Energy Star certified buildings. The Donhowe Building, a 91,094 square foot office building, received a rating of 88 and the Education Sciences Building, a 67,839 square foot office building, received a rating of 93. Both buildings are also examples of adaptive reuse. The buildings were certified in the spring of 2011.