DA-2389 -- Retrofitting University Buildings for Energy Conservation ✓ Most Recent

The Ohio State University is well into the second year of an energy conservation project which is committed to increasing the operating efficiency of the campus buildings, without interfering with the functions of the occupants.

The Columbus campus has been faced with past annual utility bills in excess of five million dollars. Increasing unit costs of natural gas, oil and electricity, reductions of natural gas allotments, plans for new construction, and pressures to maintain a high level of education at reasonable costs make energy conservation an important key to the future.

The procedure followed for this project consists of a complete building survey and preparation of a report which is presented to the University Administration. The report contains suggested energy savings modifications to the building along with estimated construction costs and utility cost savings. Modifications, which are funded based primarily on the estimated payback periods, are then implemented. Metered utility consumption is taken after implementation and compared to consumption of previous years to verify the savings estimated.