Ceramics Building

An override switch is installed in the AHU2 space and the air handling unit is scheduled off and turns on only when the override switch is turned on. A programmable thermostat is installed in the third floor space to enable night set back. Occupancy sensors controlling lighting were installed in the break area and classroom 218. The control valves and steam traps for the perimeter radiation were inspected for proper operation and fixed. The summer-winter mode control for the perimeter radiation was repaired and reinstated to disable heating during summer. Unused fume hoods were shut down.

Ceramics Kiln House

Prior to the Retro-commissioning visit, there was a DDC control ;upgrade to the air handling units. Exhaust fan switches were installed to control the fume hood exhaust by the user and reducing air flow in the AHUs. Occupancy sensors were installed in the second floor to control lights and shut off VAV boxes when the space is unoccupied. Occupancy sensors were added to rooms on the first floor for lighting control, too. An override switch was added to the research lab to allow keep the dedicated AHU for that lab off unless the lab is in use. Roof vents were closed to reduce infiltration and save energy. The condensing unit of AHU-2 had issues and was fixed. Airside economizer was added to AHU2 to reduce hours of mechanical cooling.

Everitt Lab

As the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering moved to the newly constructed Electrical and Computer Engineering Building in the summer of 2014, Everitt Lab will be used as home of the Department of Bioengineering and additional engineering classroom space in the future after the remodel project. The clean rooms and most classrooms are still in operation. Other function have ceased. Prior to the Retro-commissioning visit, there was a DDC controls up-grade to the air handling units (AHU) and heat exchangers. The AHUs were operating 24/7 prior to the controls upgrade, but a schedule has been implemented. Ventilation provided to spaces that are no longer in operation were cut off. Some of the outdated VFDs were replaced. The pneumatic lines and control valves were inspected for proper operation and faulty equipment were fixed.

Fred Turner Student Services Building

The AHU was operating 24/7 prior to the controls upgrade, but a schedule has been implemented. Outside air dampers for the air handling unit was replaced. The belts and sheaves were replaced for the AHU supply and return fans. The VAV boxes were for proper operation and the sensors were calibrated.

International Studies Building

Immediately prior to the Retrocommissioning visit, a DDC controls upgrade and chilled water entrance were installed. This allowed more opportunity to take advantage of the technology and increased the energy savings opportunities. The only AHU was operating 24/7 prior to the controls upgrade, but a schedule had been implemented months prior to Retro. This schedule was revisited and is even more aggressive now. This is the first building where occupancy sensors are being implemented on pneumatically controlled VAV boxes via line voltage solenoid valves. The conference room had occupancy sensors installed, as well as a dedicated exhaust fan decommissioned and is much more comfortable now, using much less energy. The building was negative during the initial investigation, so this was addressed from multiple angles, including: new SOAP sensor installed, EF4 (mentioned above) being shut down, the remaining exhaust systems were rebalanced, and the tubing corrected and verified on the DP sensor. The building is now operating at a slightly positive pressure. The hot water system was also rebalanced to ensure proper flow to the system and alleviate hot/cold issues in the building.

Law Building

The air handling units (AHUs) providing air conditioning were maintaining space conditions in offices and classrooms based on an assumed schedule without input from the people occupying the spaces. The primary energy conservation method was scheduling the AHUs off during tighter non occupied hours based on actual utilization. Exhaust grilles in most spaces were drastically reduced (or removed completely) since the original design intent of spaces have changed over the years. For example, a former dark room had been converted to a kitchenette and nothing had been addressed with respect to the ventilation, so over 450 cfm was cut from this room alone. Missing insulation on the steam entrance was corrected on steam and condensate lines alike.

Library Information Sciences Building

Immediately prior to the Retrocommissioning visit, a DDC controls upgrade and chilled water entrance were installed. This allowed more opportunity to take advantage of the technology and increased the energy savings opportunities. Both AHU-1 and AHU-4 were both decommissioned (AIP) during the Retro visit. AHU-4 was taken completely out of service with ductwork modifications, while AHU-1 can easily be turned back on if there is a need this summer. AHU-3 had a pneumatic control revamp by the TC mechanic, since the AP main was controlling the NO CHW and STM valves, so when the AHU was scheduled off, both valves went wide open. A complete ASHRAE 62.1 calculation was done and all OA numbers were reset according to actual occupancy. AHU-6 and AHU-7 are both 100%OA fans meant to deliver fresh air to spaces while fan coils temper these same spaces. The controls were modified to make this happen, while over 50% airflow reduction happened on both fans by utilizing a VFD on AHU-6 and re-sheaving AHU-7.

Talbot Laboratory

Prior to the Retro-commissioning visit, there was a DDC controls upgrade to the 4 chilled water cooled air handling units (AHU) and the heat exchangers. This allowed more opportunity to take advantage of the technology and increased the energy savings opportunities. All AHUs were operating 24/7 prior to the controls upgrade, but schedules have been implemented through DDC and through time clocks were DDC was not available. Occupancy sensors were being implemented on fan coil units and pneumatically controlled VAV boxes (using line voltage EP switches) in classrooms. The inlet vanes were removed from 2 AHUs and VFDs were added to the VAV system AHUs. The control valves and steam traps for the perimeter radiation were inspected for proper operation and the failed equipment was identified and fixed. The exposed steam risers were insulated.

Mumford Hall

Some of the air handling units were maintaining space conditions in offices and classrooms based on an assumed schedule without input from the people occupying the spaces, the others were 24/7. The primary energy conservation method was scheduling the AHUs off during tighter non occupied hours based on actual utilization. Basic controls were also added to AHU3 serving the north auditorium on the first floor. The unit also went from being able to run 24/7 to on a typical class schedule with occupancy sensors for outside of typical operating hours. Classrooms on fourth (422 and 426) were also upgraded to newer programmable thermostats and put on schedules with occupancy sensors. To maintain comfort conditions, all thermostats and VAV’s were calibrated and inspected for proper operation. There are 22 VAV’s in the building. The airflows were also balanced allowing in many cases for a reduction in flow to the spaces, resulting in fan energy savings without compromising comfort.

Plant Sciences Lab

The air handling units (AHUs) providing air conditioning were maintaining space conditions in offices and classrooms based on an assumed schedule without input from the people occupying the spaces. The primary energy conservation method was scheduling the AHUs off during tighter non occupied hours based on actual utilization. Exhaust grilles in most spaces were drastically reduced (or removed completely) since the original design intent of spaces have changed over the years. For example, a former dark room had been converted to a kitchenette and nothing had been addressed with respect to the ventilation, so over 450 cfm was cut from this room alone. Missing insulation on the steam entrance was corrected on steam and condensate lines alike. ; To maintain comfort conditions, all thermostats and VAV’s were calibrated and inspected for proper operation. There are approximately 58 VAV’s in the building. The airflows were also balanced allowing in many cases for a reduction in flow to the spaces, resulting in fan energy savings without compromising comfort.

School of Labor & Employment Relations

School of Labor & Employment Relations was originally built in 1962 and is 25,257 sq.ft. The building is served by four constant volume systems, the air handling units located in the penthouse mechanical room. In 2012, the old MACS controls were replaced with new controls. Zone temperature sensors were installed. This allowed more opportunity to takeadvantage of the technology and increased the energy savings opportunities by optimizing the operation. The AHUs was operating 24/7 prior to the controls upgrade, but a schedule has been implemented. VFDs were installed to the air handling units to reduce airflow. The room level controls and sensors were calibrated.

Smith Memorial Hall

Air-flow dampers were installed in the constant volume system serving the main auditorium and lecture hall to reduce air flow based on zone occupancy. Return CO2 sensors were added. The sequence of operation was modified for more efficient operation. The pneumatic lines and control valves was inspected for proper operation and fixed. DDC controls were added to the heat exchangers. There was issue with condensation issues all over the mechanical room. The steam condensate system operation was modified to control the condensation issues.