Midwestern University slashes its energy bills by a staggering $683,932 annually, simultaneously enhancing comfort for its students, promoting sustainability, and staying ahead of the competition among top universities in the field of energy efficiency.
Reducing Energy Consumption and Achieving Sustainability Goals at LRU
LRU, an organization with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, has made significant strides in reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Facing challenges with managing building energy consumption, particularly in HVAC, lighting, and other systems, LRU sought a solution to gain better visibility and control over building systems performance.
Cimetrics, a leading provider of energy management software and analytic tools, stepped in to address these issues. The collaboration between Cimetrics, LRU staff, and the controls vendor resulted in the inspection and repair of malfunctioning Air Handling Units (AHUs) that were causing simultaneous heating and cooling, a significant inefficiency.
The implementation of Cimetrics' solutions, which included the deployment of BACnet Explorer and BAS integration tools, data analytics, and fault detection algorithms, was intended to help LRU achieve its sustainability goals while addressing its specific needs. This implementation did not repeat earlier measures and technologies implemented at LRU, ensuring a fresh approach to energy conservation.
The results of these measures and technologies have been impressive. The annual energy savings from this solution amount to $683,932, and the simple payback for these measures and technologies is a rapid 0.22 years. The net present value of these savings is estimated at $1,475,779.
In addition to the financial benefits, these measures have also contributed to the overall energy conservation efforts at LRU. They have allowed for additional heating and cooling capacity to other buildings fed by the steam and chilled water loops, enhancing the efficiency of the central plant.
Other operational benefits were also achieved through these measures and technologies. LRU's occupants have experienced improved comfort due to more reliable HVAC control, and the organization has been able to better manage its systems proactively, reducing maintenance costs and improving system reliability.
LRU's goal to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge is well on its way to being realized, thanks to the successful implementation of these energy conservation measures and technologies. For more detailed information on this case study, you can refer to the official case study documents published by Cimetrics, which demonstrate measurable energy savings and ROI following the deployment of their solutions in commercial or institutional buildings.
- LRU's commitment to environmental sustainability extends to the realm of climate-change mitigation, as evidenced by their pursuit of renewable-energy sources.
- The collaboration between LRU, Cimetrics, and the controls vendor highlighted the importance of educational-and-self-development in the industry, as new strategies and technologies were adopted for energy conservation.
- The financial sector also plays a crucial role in supporting LRU's sustainability goals, as the significant energy savings enabled by Cimetrics' solutions have attracted substantial investments.
- In line with its mission, LRU remains dedicated to achieving its sustainability goals, leveraging advancements in science, technology, and business to create a more eco-friendly environment.
