Energy Management Program

Members of the university community are encouraged to be conscious of their role in the operation of university facilities. Faculty, staff and students should consider energy use in their daily lives and implement as many of the following procedures as possible:

• Use natural light during the day instead of interior lights wherever possible.
• Turn lights off in vacant rooms and spaces.
• Turn off and unplug electrical devices on nights, weekends and holidays where appropriate.
• Use of individual appliances in offices and common areas (refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, space heaters, printers etc.) is discouraged.
• Exterior windows and doors should be closed when heating or cooling systems are in operation.
• Computers will enter sleep mode during inactivity but should remain on for updates and maintenance.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• When working in laboratory areas, close fume hood sashes when not in use and turn off biosafety cabinets’ fans when possible.
• Report any concerns with malfunctioning equipment or plumbing fixtures as soon as possible to Facilities Management through the help.cnu.edu work order system.

As part of Christopher Newport's commitment to resource efficiency, we ask all members of the university community to reduce their use during unoccupied times. During holidays, long weekends and vacations, please shutdown, turn off or unplug energy using items. Computers should be left on for updates and maintenance, but will enter sleep mode. If personal refrigerators will defrost, place a towel underneath to catch any water.

New buildings and large renovation projects should meet high performance building certification standards such as VEES or LEED Silver. Projects should include the following:

• A review of building plans for compliance prior to final construction project award.
• A review of specifications for building automation systems (including but not limited to HVAC, lighting and metering) to ensure integration and communication with current systems in order to reduce energy costs.
• Where feasible, all energy consuming equipment should be Energy Star rated.
• Where feasible, all water-related equipment and fixtures should meet EPA WaterSense requirements.
• Ensure proper commissioning of building systems prior to substantial completion.

The university should operate and maintain all buildings with energy efficiency and sustainability as a guiding value. Adjustments to operational procedures should help eliminate waste of energy and water. Tracking, analyzing and benchmarking facilities should demonstrate progress toward a more efficient and sustainable campus and should include:

• Installation of energy efficient lighting (such as LED) and controls (such as occupancy sensors or photocells). Existing devices should be upgraded when feasible.
• Installation of low-flow or WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures as replacement and upgrade options for existing fixtures.
• Operation of building HVAC systems to maximize comfort and efficiency by incorporating occupancy schedules and maintaining conditions in accordance with ASHRAE 55-2007: Conditions for Thermal Comfort.

Buildings and spaces with unique needs will be maintained as required by design to provide the best possible environment for teaching and learning.

• Upgrade and maintain building automation systems and sensors to ensure efficient and correct operation of equipment.
• Service and maintain building systems in accordance with manufacturer specifications and best practices.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to report conditions that are inconsistent with these guidelines to Facilities Management through the help.cnu.edu work order system.

Demand-side Energy Program: programs that consist of planning, implementing and monitoring the activities of electric utilities which are designed to encourage consumers to modify their level and pattern of electricity usage.

Energy: power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines.

Energy conservation: the prevention of the wasteful use of energy, especially in order to ensure its continuing availability.

Energy efficiency: the use of energy in an optimum manner to achieve the same service that could have been achieved using a common, less efficient manner.

Energy management: the proactive, organized and systematic management of energy use in a building or organization to satisfy both environmental and economic requirements.

Energy Star: a program which provides certification to buildings and consumer products which meet certain standards of energy efficiency.

EPA WaterSense: WaterSense labeled products meet EPA's specifications for water efficiency and performance, and are backed by independent, third-party certification.

Greenhouse gas emissions: any gas that has the property of absorbing infrared radiation emitted from Earth’s surface and reradiating it back to Earth’s surface, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect.

LED: light-emitting diode (a semiconductor diode which glows when a voltage is applied); energy efficient lighting.

LEED Silver: a U.S Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design that focuses on encouraging a more sustainable approach to the way buildings are designed, constructed and operated. Projects earn points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality.

Sustainability: avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance

VEES: Virginia Energy Conservation and Environmental Standards (VEES) was developed as a state alternative to LEED and other green building certification programs by the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was initiated under executive order 48 in 2007. VEES applies to new and renovated state-owned facilities.