University of New Haven

In 2012, GreenerU, in collaboration with the Connecticut Green Bank (previously the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, or CEFIA) and the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC), launched Campus Efficiency Now, a program aimed at advancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in Connecticut’s independent colleges and universities.

Campus Efficiency Now provided schools with a risk-free way to advance energy projects with zero capital outlays and very little effort on the schools’ parts.

The first Campus Efficiency Now project was undertaken at the University of New Haven (UNH). The program focused on efficiency improvements in four buildings: Bartels Hall, Beckerman Recreation Center, Charger Gymnasium, and Peterson Library.

Efficiency measures included automated lighting controls and expansion and optimization of the campus building automation system. Savings came from reduced run hours on lighting and HVAC systems and from a variety of improvements to HVAC control sequences such as smart ventilation controls and more sophisticated strategies for modulating fan systems.

Since becoming operational in 2014, the project has reduced energy costs by more than $8,000 per month on average with UNH retaining 20% of those savings, or approximately $100,000 in net savings over the first five years of operation, all with no capital outlays from the University. Throughout these past five years, GreenerU has provided technical support and measurement and verification services to ensure that the savings persisted and to monitor the actual savings.

As of January 1, 2019, UNH’s obligations under Campus Efficiency Now are complete and 100% of the savings accrue to the university, resulting in an expected $100,000 in annual savings for years to come.