Campus Energy Efficiency Projects

The Energy Office designs, manages, and implements increased efficiency measures across campus including retrofits and upgrades for non capital improvements. Contact the Energy Manager if you have ideas for improving your space by increasing efficiency. Previous projects have ranged from retrofitting T12 lighting and the addition of automated lighting controls, implementing IT software, upgrading HVAC ducting for efficient distribution and assisting with grant applications for photovoltaic installations.

Design Assistance

The involvement of the Energy Office in building design and review is becoming increasingly important as the University works towards the Presidential climate commitment and faces the realities of increasing energy costs. In addition to developing the University standards for meters the office advocates building at the University with Energy Conservation as a primary design criteria. Applying High Performance Building standards, LEED building standard suggestions, and improving on the minimum energy code requirements are necessary priorities as the University enlarges its building footprint.

Incentive and Rebate Assistance

The Energy Office is responsible for taking advantage of various rebate and incentive programs associated with constructing efficiently. We are happy to assist any projects or departments wishing to do the same, including assistance with utility rebates and incentives for implementing efficiency measures offered through Rocky Mountain Power and Questar.

Requirements for eligibility under RMP Programs

In general, utility incentives call for specific pieces of equipment to meet minimum efficiency requirements. Rocky Mountain Power has a variety of incentive programs to meet your project’s needs. For more information, please visit the RMP website.

Requirements for eligibility under Questar Program

Questar pays a cash rebate for qualifying equipment. Check Questar’s website for details. Note: The building in which the project is occurring must be served under Questar’s GS rate schedule. Most buildings on campus are not GS.

Renewable Energy Purchasing

Windpower programs

Why buy clean renewable energy? Because by purchasing from sources such as wind power, you avoid supporting the production of harmful byproducts of coal-generated electricity. These include high carbon emissions that drive global climate change and other toxins including mercury pollution that releases 48 tons of mercury each year in the US.

The wind energy fund established by ASUU has now been opened for additional participation by University faculty, researchers, staff, students and friends. Because of the large scale of this program, the cost ($3/mwh) is very low compared to the many other similar programs throughout the nation. In fact the cost per mhw of wind electricity is more than six times cheaper than typical schemes. Donations are made to the University so contributions are tax deductible.

Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky Program

Utah Power residents and businesses can purchase new wind power through the Blue Sky program that provides clean, renewable wind energy in 100 kilowatt-hour (kwh) increments, called blocks, for just $1.95 per block per month. Each 100 kwh block represents about 10 percent of the average customer’s monthly electricity usage.

Building Performance