ASU reduces energy costs, carbon footprint
Over the past few years, Augusta State has continued to reduce its carbon footprint through its energy reduction program. This reduction in energy usage has also resulted in economic savings for the university.
“Not only is the ASU carbon footprint been significantly reduced, but this energy reduction program has saved ASU cold hard cash, which we were able to funnel back into the campus to help purchase year-end type items for each department,” said Therese Rosier, vice president for business operations at ASU.
The energy costs have been on a steady decline since the program’s implementation in 2009. According to Dave Freeman, director of Physical Plant, FY09, the total annual cost for power and natural gas was $1.9 million as compared to the FY12 total of $1.2 million.
“We looked at the low hanging fruit; specifically lighting and HVAC. We began by adjusting the temperatures in the buildings and monitoring the campus’s lighting usage,” said Freeman.
Freeman said that Craig Pulley and Bill Sealey have both been instrumental in this initiative to lower costs. Pulley has been looking at ways to control the large mechanical units (pumps, condensers, cooling towers, chillers, etc.) and Sealey has been diligent in replacing out dated lighting fixtures with new energy efficient ones and ensuring that the university’s electric bills are accurate.
“Brenda Boynton also ensures all classrooms lights are turned off at the end of the week,” he added.
The university has recently added a new water meter at the Christenberry Field House to monitor irrigation of the athletic fields. “This new meter allows the university to eliminate paying the city’s sewerage charge when the sewer system is not being utilized,” Freeman said.
