Thanks are due to many for our high energy efficiency ranking.
A recent national study places UNH in the top 5 percent of research institutions for energy efficiency. The US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) worked with The Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA) to develop a first of its kind national energy efficiency benchmarking study of universities. UNH's ranking of 181,000 BTU's per square foot places us as one of the most energy efficient institutions among research universities. ORNL is considering doing a case study of UNH's energy management program later this year, so that our methods can help other institutions improve their energy efficiency.
Thanks are due to many folks on campus for our high energy efficiency ranking. Paul Chamberlin's Facilities Design and Construction (FD&C) group has been working hard to ensure that new construction and renovation projects include cost effective energy efficiency measures. FD&C Project Managers, especially Brenda Whitmore, have provided valuable support to the UNH Energy Office during the implementation of specialized energy efficiency projects such as lighting upgrades and motor replacements.
Tradespersons in Plant Maintenance, the UNH Heating Plant and the UNH Energy Office provide the day to day commitment and expertise that keeps our energy systems operating at high efficiency.
Students, faculty and staff in the UNH community play a big role in determining our energy efficiency. Many thanks to all those who use power management "sleep mode" on computer monitors, turn out unnecessary lights, and perform other energy-saving practices. Our high ranking just goes to show that a lot of small actions can add up to big savings. Special thanks to those faculty and staff who include energy efficiency topics in their course work.
Computing & Information Services and the Department of Communication worked with the UNH Energy Office to develop UNH's Computer Power Management program. That is an example of how faculty and staff in diverse departments can work together on energy efficiency programs.
Students use much of our energy on campus and their efforts have been very important. Student groups such as SEAC and the Recycling Educators have been very effective with their energy-related projects.
One of the most important elements of an energy management program is top level administrative support. The high level of administrative support at UNH is one of the reasons for our top ranking. For many years, the campus "R&R Committee" has consistently funded energy efficiency projects on campus. We now have accurate quantitative data to show that those financial investments are paying off as expected.
There is not room here to specifically thank everyone who has helped with campus energy efforts. You know who you are, and thank you all for your efforts to help the UNH community become an energy efficiency model. Your continued efforts will keep us in the top 5 percent!
