University of Pittsburgh
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

2011 was the year of the University's 2nd Greenhouse Gas inventory, and was selected as a baseline as we believe the data set was more accurate than that used for the previous inventory.

Sustainability Plan with the full-throated endorsement of the Chancellor released on December 8, 2017 which has goals to reduce energy use by 50% by 2030.

The University's standard indoor air temperature setpoints are as follows: a. Winter Indoor Air Dry Bulb Temperature i. All occupied spaces: 70º F ± 2º F with nighttime and weekend setbacks to 60º F ii. Labs housing and caring for animals: As required by the current edition of “Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.” iii. Unoccupied spaces (such as storage rooms, vestibules, etc.): 55ºF ± 5º F iv. Unoccupied spaces (such as mechanical equipment rooms, electrical equipment rooms, etc.): 55ºF minimum. v. Unoccupied spaces (such as toilet rooms): 68º F ± 2º F. vi. Elevator equipment rooms: 40°F minimum and 90º F maximum. b. Summer Indoor Air Dry Bulb and Wet Bulb Temperatures: i. All occupied spaces: 74º F ± 2º F with maximum 57º F WB with nighttime and weekend setbacks to 80º F ii. Labs housing and caring for animals: As required by the current edition of “Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.” iii. Unoccupied spaces (such as storage rooms, vestibules, etc.): 80ºF ± 5º F with maximum 62º F WB. iv. Unoccupied spaces (such as mechanical equipment rooms, electrical equipment rooms, etc.): 90ºF maximum, non-condensing conditions at all times. v. Unoccupied spaces (such as toilet rooms): 78º F ± 2º F with maximum 57º F WB. vi. Elevator equipment rooms: 40°F minimum and 90º F maximum, non-condensing conditions at all times. University standards require vacancy sensor to be used to control lighting in all spaces where occupants may want lights off when occupied (e.g., offices, classrooms, and labs); occupancy sensors are required in all spaces where lights must be on when occupied (e.g., restrooms and corridors); photocells or timeclocks are required to control all outdoor lighting; even emergency lighting is required to be automatically shut off when spaces are unoccupied (generator transfer devices are used to automatically turn emergency lights on when normal power is lost).

LED lighting has recently been installed in several significant locations within the University, and is planned for several large renovations in the near future. For example, the University's two largest lecture halls were retrofitted with LED lighting in FY15. The University carefully considers and tests new technologies prior to large-scale implementations to ensure suitability and performance. As LED technology has improved, the number of installations is increasing. LED lighting is now deemed acceptable for most new installations and retrofits.

A small solar array is installed and active at the Swanson School of Engineering and is used primarily for educational and research purposes.

The University has recently expanded its retro-commissioning group who is charged with periodic retro-commissioning in existing facilities in order to ensure that buildings are operating optimally and to identify areas for energy and operational improvements. In addition, building commissioning (often enhanced commissioning) is performed by independent third parties for major construction and renovation projects. Major recommissioning efforts have been recently completed for the University's two main chilled water generation facilities, and a utility meter retro-commissioning project was completed in FY16. Significant savings have been recognized in several recent retro-commissioning projects. An Energy Master Plan and Energy Conservation Plan were completed in September 2017. Implementation of identified Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) began shortly thereafter and will continue until all viable ECMs are completed. In December 2017 the University issued a Sustainability Plan with a goal to reduce energy use by 50% by 2030 from a 2003 national average baseline.

Please see additional information on Pitt's energy conservation initiatives on pages 10-13 of the University's 2013 Report on Sustainability: http://sustainable.pitt.edu/node/1206. Note that the sustainable.pitt.edu website will be fully upgraded in the first half of 2018. At the University of Pittsburgh, we firmly believe that the most sustainable energy is the energy we never use.