Construction

Energy Efficiency

A student walking at Stoffer Science Hall Washburn University recently began a 20-month project to reduce energy consumption and the campus' carbon footprint while making a significant improvement to the learning environment. All of the improvements are anticipated to be complete in the fall of 2014. 

Trane, the company contracted to complete the project, is operating a job-site office at 21st Street and Washburn Avenue and is available if you have questions or concerns. Every effort is being made to minimize the impact of this work on the learning environment. 

What is changing?

  • High-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve indoor air quality, increase ventilation and raise classroom thermal comfort.
  • High performance lighting systems to provide optimal lighting. 
  • Low-flow water fixtures to conserve water and reduce sewage.
  • Re-commissioning of the fume hood system in Stoffer Science Hall.
  • Window and door replacement in Morgan Hall.
  • Campus-wide building automation system installation and/or upgrades that will enable operations staff to centrally control the HVAC systems to optimize energy and operational efficiencies, while improving classroom comfort. 

What buildings are included?

Art Building Living Learning Center
Bennett Computer Center Mabee Library
Benton Hall Memorial Union
Bianchino Pavilion Morgan Hall
Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center Petro Allied Health Center
Garvey Fine Arts Center Stoffer Science Hall

Henderson Learning Resources Center

 Student Recreation and Wellness Center
KTWU Television Studio Washburn Tech

What work happens when is scheduled by Trane, not by Washburn. Find out more about what is happening where you spend the day from the Trane project website.

How much does it cost and how much will Washburn save?

This $12.3 million project is being funded with an energy performance contract authorized by Kansas statute for funding public infrastructure improvement. By managing and optimizing energy use, higher education institutions can leverage energy and operational savings to support strategic educational objectives.

Washburn University is expected to save nearly $618,000 annually in utility expenses. That savings will initially by dedicated to paying off the cost of the improvements. Additionally, by replacing aging infrastructure, Washburn will reduce its deferred maintenance backlog while preparing facilities for decades of additional use.

Environmentally, the savings also will be substantial.The amount of electricity saved, 5,803,336 kilowatt hours per year, and the amount of natural gas saved, 18,836 MMBtu (million metric British thermal units) will eliminate 4,588 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. That's the same emissions as:

  • 10,671 barrels of oil saved
  • 840 cars not driven
  • 520,812 gallons of gasoline not used
  • 405 homes not operated
  • 1,043 acres of pine forest not cut down