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

The performance year is fiscal year 2010-2011. The University began its building recommissioning program in 2009 through the It All Adds Up program. With this program, the University will recommission approximately 10-20 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 2011, the University was able to reduce its energy consumption by 5%, saving $2 million annually. Over two years of the program, the University has reduced utility costs more than $4.6 million and released 50,000 fewer tons of CO2 into the atmosphere annually. 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.