1. Building Metering & Benchmarking: It’s Worth the Energy American University Emily Curley, Sustainability Coordinator Chris O’Brien, Director of Sustainability April 16, 2013

2. AU Office of Sustainability: Staff

3. AU Office of Sustainability: Vision Strategic Plan Goal #7: “Act on our values through social responsibility and … an active pursuit of sustainability...”

4. Driving Frameworks Comprehensive Sustainability Plan

5. Climate Action Plan

6. AU Greenhouse Gas Emissions

7. Benefits of Increasing Energy Savings • Comply with DC Green Building Act • Reduce utility costs (electric, gas, water, chemical) • Reduce operations & maintenance (labor, equipment) • Reduce reliance on RECs and Offsets • Fulfill Presidents Climate Commitment • Improve occupant comfort • Earn LEED recognition

8. LEED Checklist – Existing Buildings

9. Energy Efficiency & Occupant Comfort • Studies1 show that Energy Star rated & LEED certified buildings: • Increase productivity by 1%-5% • Increase employee morale • Reduce turnover • Improve recruitment • Reduce allergic reactions and stress 1 CBRE & University of San Diego, 2009; McGraw-Hill, 2009; Michigan State, 2009; http://www.institutebe.com/Existing-Building-Retrofits/Productivity-Gains-from-Energy-Efficiency.aspx

10. Energy Saving Strategies • Install meters • 25 ASHRAE level I audits • $1.2m energy-saving projects complete • Library Lighting • Butler Tunnel Lighting • Arena Lighting • ASHRAE level II audits: Bender Library, Katzen, MGC, Sports Center, Ward Circle

11. Case Study: Bender Library • 117,940 gsf with electricity, district steam & chilled water, solar PV • 5th largest energy using building on campus

12. Case Study: Bender Library • Results not so encouraging… • LEED requires ENERGY STAR score of 19 or source EUI 19% better than national average

13. Bender Library Energy Savings • ASHRAE Level II Audit Identified ECMs:

14. Bender Library Performance After • Have since completed relighting/delamping project in Library for additional low-cost savings • On target to meet prerequisite pending improvements

15. Case Study: Katzen Arts Center • 3rd largest energy using building on campus • 335,476 gsf with electricity, natural gas, solar PV • Large parking garage = 60% of total area Museum and performance space = 20% Art “lab” space = 10%

16. Case Study: Katzen Arts Center • Special case for LEED given difficulty of comparison with other buildings • LEED requires source EUI 19% better than 3 year historical baseline average

17. Katzen Energy Savings • ASHRAE Level II Audit Identified ECMs:

18. Katzen Art Center Performance After • Identified ECMs together reduce consumption to LEED prerequisite level • Katzen would qualify for 1 additional LEED point with new total

19. Target Campus Energy Use* LEED compliance level = 69th percentile * 25 targeted existing buildings.

20. Target Annual Cost Savings1 2 Fiscal Year 125 targeted existing buildings. 2Assumes savings in proportion to current electric/gas consumption (56% electric/44% gas). Total savings range is based on splitting savings from 33% electric & 67% gas, to 67% electric & 33% gas.

21. Financing Options • Invest $8-$10M, 8-10 yr payback • $3.3M/yr for 3 yrs • Increase energy project funding from $700k/yr to $1.7/yr for 6 years • Consider revolving fund • Third Party Financing – $0 cost to AU but cost savings are minimized

22. Next Steps • RFQ for energy conservation measures • Determine financing & contracting approach • RFPs for design & construction • Finalize contracts & financing • Implement projects

23. Lessons Learned • Building-level metering is teaching us which buildings consume the most energy and cost the most to operate • Energy benchmarking is teaching us which buildings are the most inefficient relative to buildings like it • Energy auditing is teaching us that making investments in energy efficiency are often financially prudent and allow us to meet our environmental goals

24. Thank you! • sustainability@american.edu • www.american.edu/sustainability • Twitter.com/GreenAU • facebook.com/GreenAU