Our team performed ASHRAE Level 3 energy audits on University of Utah laboratories and provided the university with projected construction cost and energy savings estimates for each measure.
Our team transitioned and completed a detailed design of the proposed energy retrofits on the identified 475,000 square feet of laboratories audited. All labs and spaces were originally designed as constant volume, dual-duct spaces. Updates made to convert the facility to variable volume setups for improved airflow included venturi valves in the supply, exhaust and fume hood ducts, advanced building automation controls and updated fan arrays in the central air handlers. All of these improvements were implemented for reduced energy consumption in the facilities.
Serving over 31,000 students from across the United States and world, the University of Utah is a large campus with high energy consumption. Despite supporting a growing population of students and staff, the university exceeded its energy reduction goal of 20% with 25% saved due to the combination of energy upgrades and smart technologies.
The energy reduction solutions attributed to the lab projects were largely effective due to the collaboration between university facility staff, education professionals, Burns & McDonnell and contractors. Currently, the university continues to monitor energy usage across campus and meets established energy reduction goals based on the Better Buildings Challenge program.
