University of Nebraska at Omaha
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

Energy consumption baseline was taken from FY11-13. These years were chosen to give us a solid historical representation of average use based on reliable data.

The Sustainability website provides some tips in regards to energy efficiency and conservation.

UNO Housing- MV and UV- Thermostats are locked at 68-75 degrees. Interior lights in UV and MV clubhouses on motion sensors. Baxter Arena: The temperature of the hot water that is used to heat the building is based on the outside air temperature...the colder it is, the hotter the water gets. Rather than allowing individuals to set their office, locker room, or space temperatures, they control it through their computer-based building controls in the ice plant. This computer allows them to schedule event temperatures and humidity levels in advance and once the event is over it reverts back to their low occupancy set points automatically. As for exterior lighting, photocells monitor light levels, and as needed, release lighting contactors to turn on or off the lights. The building had a contractor come in a teach the employees on how to run the ice plant at a more efficient rate. This will allow the ice chillers to run at a better capacity UNO Facilities: A building temperature policy was adopted in May 2009 to conserve energy and make the best use of our resources. Occupancy sensors have been installed in all new construction and major renovations in the last 10 years or so. All but two buildings have lighting retrofits and lighting control systems in place. This includes timers, daylight harvesting, and occupancy sensors. Energy metering (electricity, gas, chilled water, and steam) was installed in all major buildings to monitor UNO's energy use. Unfortunately, many of these early meters failed. The early meters have been replaced with new technology and more reliable readings of energy use information for all major buildings. Vending machines have been slowly replaced by ones with motion sensors, lightless models, or LED-lit machines. This was largely done because other users demanded it and vendors made large-scale changes in machine selection. http://www.unomaha.edu/facilities/documents/buildingtemperaturepolicy3-3-09.pdf

UNO Housing: All interior fixtures at MV and UV are LED. All exterior fixtures at UV are LED. MV pole lights are LED and back entry lights are LED. Baxter Arena: There are times that are controlled through the lighting system. This allows the use of lights, TVs, and other electronic devices to turn off when no one is in the building to turn them off. All restrooms, offices, and other small areas are controlled by motion detection lighting UNO Facilities: LEDs have been installed in most of the major buildings on campus, to replace incandescent and fluorescent tubes. LED lighting has been used in classrooms and public access areas. LEDs have replaced HIDs in the parking structures, parking lots, and public sidewalks.

The Barn at Glacier Creek Preserve uses geothermal heating and cooling. (This is not individually metered, so we are unable to report any values) http://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-arts-and-sciences/biology/nature-preserves/glacier-creek.php#Barn

UNO Housing: UV's HVAC has been replaced by new heat pumps and AC units, including the clubhouse. It now uses R410A freon which is better for the environment. Went from a seasonal energy efficiency rating of ~12 to a rating of 16. UNO Facilities: This is an ongoing effort, driven by Facilities Management & Planning and encouraged by Procurement. New construction and renovations will incorporate lighting control systems to provide daylight harvesting, two-level lighting in offices, vacancy sensors in common areas such as classrooms and conference rooms. It is a practice - not a policy - to replace appliances, equipment, and systems with energy-efficient alternatives.