Managing Energy: OSU's conservation efforts start early in the day

Friday, January 24, 2014

It is 5 a.m. in a building where the heat has not yet been turned on. The energy manager begins his daily assessment of building heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems via his computer. Reviewing the energy management system (EMS), he checks the function of air handlers, exhaust fans, relief fans and other equipment, reviewing thermostat/ zone sensors to ensure spaces are warming before the building becomes fully occupied by 8 a.m. 

After the review, the energy manager heads across campus to begin early morning facility energy audits. 

Armed with the data gleaned from the EMS, he walks through each of his assigned buildings to check any issues of concern. He does quick inspections of mechanical rooms to ensure there are no problems with the heating and air systems. If he finds something, he can initiate work orders from his smartphone or tablet with emails to the Action Desk so that Physical Plant technicians will be aware of any issues upon their arrival. He also conducts random office and classroom energy audits in his early morning visits to ensure lights, computers, projectors and other equipment have been turned off to adhere to the OSU Energy Management Program guidelines. 

Once his walk-throughs are completed, the energy manager returns to his office to attend to other tasks, such as scheduling HVAC work around special events, meetings or additional classes requested outside of the established semester classroom or office schedules. 

He responds to any work orders regarding comfort complaints, meets with building occupants and takes temperature and humidity readings in spaces needing special attention. His focus is on serving the customer and working toward an amicable resolution of an occupant’s comfort concerns within the OSU Energy Management guidelines.

The energy manager’s ongoing efforts include energy audits on weekdays, weekends, semester breaks, and official holidays to maximize opportunities to reduce utility costs at Oklahoma State University.

Five energy managers monitor more than 60 buildings on the OSU-Stillwater campus each day for energy usage. Since 2007, their work has helped OSU record energy savings of $25.43 million in Stillwater and more than $30 million systemwide