Cenergistic at Iona University
As Iona continues to strive to make the campus a model of sustainability, the University recently partnered with leading energy conservation firm Cenergistic in a move that will significantly reduce Iona’s carbon footprint.
By working with Cenergistic, Dallas-based energy-efficiency experts who partner with school districts, municipalities, universities and health care facilities across the country, Iona expects to reduce consumption of oil, natural gas, water and electricity on campus by roughly 20 percent and save over $2.5 million in energy costs over the next five years. This is done through audits and analysis of every energy point on campus at all times of the day – from HVAC schedules and equipment, to classrooms and food service areas – to ensure energy is not wasted.
Thomas Van Wert
Thomas Van Wert is Cenergistic’s on-campus Energy Specialist. He previously interned at Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, and before Cenergistic, worked as an Energy Analyst at an electrical sub-metering company. Thomas studied Earth Systems Science with a concentration in Hydrology and Climate at the City College of New York.
Guidelines for a Greener Campus
Together, we can all ensure this program is a great success!
- Campus Buildings
- Ensure instruction room doors remain closed when the air conditioning or heat is operating.
- Ensure doors between conditioned space and non-conditioned space remain closed when not in use (i.e. the front door of a building).
- Equipment
- All capable PCs should be programmed for the “energy saver” mode using the power management feature. If network constraints restrict this for the PC, ensure the monitor “sleeps” after 10 minutes of inactivity.
- All office machines (copy machines, laminating equipment, etc.) shall be switched off each night and during unoccupied times. Fax machines should remain on.
- Temperature
- Adhere to the agreed-upon temperature set points during cooling and heating season. Set points are in accordance with ASHRAE 55 “Thermal Conditions for Human Occupancy”.
- Cooling Season Occupied Set Points: 73 - 77°F
- Cooling Season Unoccupied Set Point: 85°F
- Heating Season Occupied Set Points: 68 - 72°F
- Heating Season Unoccupied Set Point: 55°F
- If you are the last one to leave a space, please turn down the heat or turn up the air conditioning to unoccupied temperatures noted above and turn off window air conditioners. Report any extreme temperatures immediately to the Energy Specialist, Thomas Van Wert, at tvanwert@iona.edu.
- Lighting
- All unnecessary lighting in unoccupied areas will be turned off. Administration, faculty, staff and students should make certain that lights are turned off when leaving the office, instructional space or residence hall room when empty. Utilize natural lighting where appropriate.
- Water
- All plumbing fixtures in residence halls, locker rooms, and other public areas should be turned off immediately following use and not left running.
- Report all leaks and running water in sinks, urinals and toilets immediately.