Grand Rapids Community College Energy Managment
| Grand Rapids Community College understands the effect of energy consumption on both the environment and the budget. With the cost of energy rising and environmental concerns growing, the college is proactively limiting energy consumption whenever and wherever possible. The new energy conservation program is designed to reduce utility energy consumption primarily when buildings are unoccupied. However, it also seeks to make students, faculty and staff more conscientious with conservation procedures for thermostats, lighting, computers and other resource-consuming systems. By all of us working together, GRCC can become a model of thoughtful stewardship, not only of natural resources and the environment, but also taxpayer and tuition dollars. GRCC has adopted new procedures to assist in achieving its energy management goals. It is essential that the procedures be observed to promote the conservation of energy. The success of this program requires the participation of all staff, students, and faculty. The simplest energy conservation measures could save millions of dollars in energy costs annually. Below is a list of some of the procedures adopted by the college, Click here for the complete policy and procedure. |
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Energy Conservation Procedures
1. DOORS
a) Classroom doors should remain closed when the HVAC (heating, ventilation, or air conditioning) is operating.
b) Doors between air conditioned space and non-air conditioned space should remain closed at all times. This greatly improves the environment.
i) HVAC systems are designed to function optimally as isolated spaces which include closed doors.
2) COMPUTERS AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT
a) All network office machines (computers, copy machines, network printers, etc.) should be in the ‘energy saver’ mode to reduce consumption during unoccupied times.
i) All computers should be turned off each night or when use is not anticipated for an extended period of time. This includes the monitor, local printer, and speakers. These do not power off automatically when the computer is turned off.
b) Ensure computer monitors are set to “sleep” after 10-minutes of inactivity. Screen savers keep the monitor in ‘active’ mode and should not be confused with power management.
3) APPLIANCES
a) Departmental appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee pots require approval through the Executive Director of Facilities in writing, and should be restricted to common areas only.
b) Personal radios or compact disc/tape decks will be permitted for use within college facilities by individuals at their respective work station. All other personally owned appliances such as heaters, foot warmers, etc., are not permitted for use on campus. Realizing exceptions may exist depending on location and usage; a written exception must be requested from the Facilities Department and approved by the Executive Director of Facilities. The Executive Director of Facilities or designee will notify the individual to remove non-permitted appliances.
4) LIGHTING
a) All lamp bulb replacements will be energy efficient models when changed-out.
b) All unnecessary lighting in unoccupied areas should be turned off.
i) Faculty and students should make certain that lights are turned off when leaving an empty classroom.
ii) All lights should be turned off when students, faculty, and staff leave an area.
c) Refrain from turning lights on unless definitely needed.
i) Utilize natural lighting where appropriate. “Lights off in unoccupied areas” is the theme to spread around campus.
ii) Remember that lights not only consume electricity, but also give off heat that places an additional load on the air conditioning equipment, thereby increasing the use of electricity necessary to cool the room.
5) Temperature Guidelines
a) Heating Season Occupied 67°F-71°F Unoccupied 55°F
b) Cooling Season Occupied 72°F-76°F Unoccupied 85°F
c) The unoccupied time should begin when the students, faculty or staff leave an area.
i) The Energy Manager will make every effort to verify occupancy patterns and modify HVAC schedules to eliminate wasted energy in unoccupied spaces. Any room scheduling changes must be communicated to the Energy Manager or Building Manager at least a week in advance to ensure occupied settings for the room. Late requests may not be able to be accommodated.
ii) Exceptions will be made for areas that require specific temperature control (some laboratory areas, animal science, medical, etc.). Approval is required from the Executive Director of Facilities.
iii) Relative humidity levels should not exceed 60% for any 24 hour period. Notify the Energy Manager or Facilities if you suspect high humidity levels indoors.
During this beautiful fall season, we are trying to refrain from mechanical heating and cooling whenever possible. In the mornings the temperature in your area may feel cooler if you are not moving around or are directly under an air duct.
Here are some ideas if you are feeling a little chilly:
-Dress in layers
-Keep office and classroom doors closed
-Know where the thermostat is in your area and make sure that it is not being blocked or that an electrical appliance is affecting it.
-If you have windows in your area, open the blinds on sunny days and be sure to close them at night
Campus wide changes as part of the GRCC Energy Conservation Program
Work continues to save energy at GRCC. Facilities and LRTS are in the process of modifying the following settings in accordance with the college's Energy Conservation Policy.
Facilities is enabling the heating set point as established for the winter months at 69 degrees. The HVAC systems are being adjusted to reflect this set point.
LRTS is enabling "power management" on all campus computers. After 10 minutes of non-use your monitor will go into sleep mode. Simply move your mouse or hit any key to wake it up.
For classroom computers: after three hours of non-use, you computer will display a message giving you five minutes to intervene (move the mouse or hit a key) before the computer logs off and goes into hibernation mode.
Thank you for your team effort as we work together to conserve energy! |
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Help GRCC reduce "Phantom" electric loads on campus
Did you know?
-To figure out how much electricity your lights use, follow this simple formula:
Daily Cost = Wattage X Time X Rate per kWh ÷ 1000
*average rates vary between 9 and 12 cents per kwh
-A computer with a 17 inch LCD monitor left continuously running will cost approximately $128 a year to power at $0.09 per kWh. Turning a computer off at night so it runs only 8 hours will cost only $43 a year, or a 66% yearly savings.
For more information on our partnering company, Energy Education, please visit their website.
Updated on 14-NOV-08
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