Today’s higher education institutions (HEIs) face numerous challenges beyond educating their students, not the least of which is optimizing their energy efficiency. With exponential pressure from students, their parents, administrators, and other stakeholders to do more with less, many higher education facilities managers ask, “Well, why bother when there are so many more pressing issues to solve?” 

According to the DOE’s 2021 Better Buildings Initiative, HEIs spend $6 billion annually on energy costs and have a total floor area of approximately 5 billion square feet. However, most institutional leaders, from small private colleges to bustling state universities, tend to focus only on floor space's appeal for attracting students and their tuition dollars rather than optimizing its energy performance. With enrollments trending downward, those views are shifting jarringly to optimization while rightfully keeping students’ experiences in mind.

This article will show how the right efficiency solutions can help those institutions develop an impactful strategy and address their other challenges.

Reasons Why Higher Education Institutions Struggle with Energy Efficiency

Colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions deal with numerous obstacles in their pursuits of energy-efficient campuses. 

• Aging Infrastructure: Many campuses have historic buildings that are not energy efficient.
• Diverse Building Portfolios: Collegiate campuses host various buildings with various purposes and energy demands. For instance, laboratories, research buildings at larger universities, computer labs, and residence halls are major usage drivers.
• Budget Constraints: Limited funding for large-scale energy efficiency projects.
• Complexity of Implementation: The logistical challenges of upgrading systems without disrupting campus activities.
• Lack of Awareness: Insufficient knowledge about the benefits and methods of improving energy efficiency.

In addition to these inherent challenges, HEI leaders value their campuses’ aesthetic appeals in attracting students and their visiting families. Balancing efficient upgrades with design presents another consideration for the greater plan.

Why They Need to Address It

While these challenges are present, they are far from insurmountable. Over 400 higher education institutions have formally committed to reducing carbon emissions and have saved $370 million since implementing such practices since 2011. Taking the steps to improve a school’s efficiency provides numerous benefits that are both tangibly and intrinsically beneficial, such as:

• Cost Savings: Modernizing campus buildings reduces operating costs by optimizing systems like heating, cooling, and other electricity-heavy uses, leading to significant savings to reinvest elsewhere.
• Attracting Talent: Enhancing the institution's appeal to environmentally conscious students and faculty.
• Brand Appeal: A Princeton Review report noted that 61% of prospective college applicants said a school’s commitment to sustainability measures would contribute to their decision to apply. Enacting efficiency measures presents a marketable opportunity to showcase that commitment.
• Resiliency: More severe weather, a volatile energy market, and a changing landscape of local and state building performance standards make energy-efficient campuses vital to sustainable operations.

Where Would a Higher Education Institution Start to Develop an Energy Efficiency Program?

• Set Clear Goals: Define specific, measurable energy efficiency targets that align with your institution's sustainability commitments and performance goals.
• Engage Stakeholders: Involve faculty, staff, and students in the planning and implementation process. Their participation and support are crucial for the success of energy efficiency initiatives.
• Consider an Energy Assessment: Conduct thorough assessments to identify areas for improvement. This will provide a clear understanding of current energy usage and highlight opportunities for optimization.
• Identify No/Low-Cost Efficiency Opportunities: Focus on high-ROI actions that provide immediate savings and build momentum for bigger projects. Examples include:
  • Utility Incentives and Financing Programs: Leverage available incentives and financing options to fund energy efficiency projects.
  • BMS Update and Calibration: Ensure building management systems are up-to-date and properly calibrated.
  • LED Lighting & Controls: Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting and implement smart controls to optimize usage.
• Monitor Progress: Regularly track and report on energy savings and project outcomes. Use this data to make informed decisions and adjust strategies as needed.
• Don’t Forget the Roofs and Walls: Uncontrolled air leakage is a major source of energy inefficiency. Having your roofs and building envelope assessed regularly can identify small problems before they become big ones.
• Master Capital Planning: Informed by peer benchmarking and sophisticated data and analytics, a strong asset baseline view will help your team evaluate which capital improvements, like equipment replacement, have wiggle room for delay – and which you should fast-track based on performance goals.

How the Right Guidance can Streamline your Efficiency Program’s Success

Even the relatively small steps above can seem daunting for a school’s facilities management team (often limited in size), so having a trusted, independent energy efficiency consultant can present a strategic boon for launching an institution’s strategy.

The right consultant would have the depth of expertise and familiarity with the higher education landscape to properly assess, plan, and execute a strategy. A good one would be able to supplement a school’s facilities management team with their technologies, technical staff, processes, and network of vetted contractors to fulfill projects if necessary.

Also, such a consultant would understand that many school administrators are crunched by budget constraints, proof of ROI, and competing priorities from their leadership. So, active listening and collaboration in fulfilling the school’s operational and experiential vision would be paramount.

In Conclusion

Higher education institutions face steep challenges in optimizing their energy efficiency, but the solutions are worthwhile and within any school’s grasp with the proper planning and implementation. Importantly, they don't have to navigate this journey alone.

Mantis Innovation has two decades of experience helping colleges and universities of all sizes unlock their energy efficiencies and fortify themselves for the future.  Contact Mantis Innovation today to start your institution's journey toward a more sustainable and cost-effective campus.