| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.71 |
| Liaison | Gioia Thompson |
| Submission Date | Feb. 6, 2023 |
University of Vermont
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.94 / 6.00 |
Gioia
Thompson Sustainability Strategist UVM Office of Sustainability |
Electricity use, performance year (report kilowatt-hours):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 57,926,835 Kilowatt-hours | 197,646.36 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 509,000 Kilowatt-hours | 1,736.71 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, performance year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 533,123 MMBtu |
| Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water | 0 MMBtu |
Total site energy consumption, performance year:
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor area | |
| Laboratory space | 430,953 Square Feet |
| Healthcare space | 31,666 Square Feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 89,146 Square Feet |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Degree days, performance year:
| Degree days | |
| Heating degree days | 6,309 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 765 Degree-Days (°F) |
Total degree days, performance year:
Start and end dates of the performance year (or 3-year period):
| Start date | End date | |
| Performance period | July 1, 2021 | June 30, 2022 |
Total site energy consumption per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
Electricity use, baseline year (report kWh):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 61,177,532 Kilowatt-hours | 208,737.74 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 0 Kilowatt-hours | 0 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, baseline year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 638,683 MMBtu |
| Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water | 0 MMBtu |
Total site energy consumption, baseline year:
Gross floor area of building space, baseline year:
Start and end dates of the baseline year (or 3-year period):
| Start date | End date | |
| Baseline period | July 1, 2006 | June 30, 2007 |
A brief description of when and why the energy consumption baseline was adopted:
beginning of a major campus expansion
Source-site ratio for imported electricity:
Total energy consumption per unit of floor area:
| Site energy | Source energy | |
| Performance year | 0.12 MMBtu / GSF | 0.19 MMBtu / GSF |
| Baseline year | 0.16 MMBtu / GSF | 0.24 MMBtu / GSF |
Percentage reduction in total source energy consumption per unit of floor area from baseline:
Documentation to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency:
The President’s Office sends out a campus-wide news email every week; before holiday breaks and during peak power events, the Physical Plant Department sends out alerts and educational announcements about energy efficiency. The Sustainability Certificate for employees includes a Sustainability Ambassadors program. The Office of Sustainability’s monthly newsletter also provides a platform for energy efficiency programs.
UVM’s Eco-Reps have undertaken many passion projects about energy.
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution:
The Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES) were enacted into Vermont law in 2006, taking effect January 1, 2007. These serve as the energy code for all commercial buildings and residential buildings 4 stories or greater above grade in Vermont. All design, major renovations, and new construction have fallen under this code.
In addition, design criteria and construction guidelines that are required within LEED have been implemented for new construction and major renovation of existing buildings since the baseline year of 2007. Many new complex (“smart”) facilities on campus between base and performance year have deployed lighting controls and HVAC control systems which are monitored through our campus building management system (BMS)
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
Building exit signs, new levels of control, and many lighting upgrades and new installations have occurred between base and performance year. These include upgrades supported by the Sustainable Campus Fund, for efficient library stack lighting, and for campus-wide LED exterior lighting.
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
During a renovation and addition to the LEED Platinum Aiken Center, a south-facing solarium was constructed for passive solar gain.
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment, and systems with high efficiency alternatives:
UVM has made energy efficiency an important consideration in creating a "freezer farm" off-campus for long-term storage of research specimens and in managing kitchen upgrades and many other projects. Staff from the local electric and gas utilities work in partnership with UVM staff on energy efficiency upgrades, and they provide both expertise and rebates.
Website URL where information about the institution’s energy conservation and efficiency program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
UVM operates and maintains a central utility plant that burns natural gas as the primary fuel, with low-sulfur #2 oil as a backup fuel. The plant generates and distributes steam and chilled water to meet the needs of the main campus community for space heating, air conditioning, hot water generation, and scientific research support.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.