Browsing by Subject "water efficiency"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Energy/Water Efficiency at Glenwood Elementary
    (2014-04-24) Kuestner, Holly
    This project focuses on reducing the energy and water footprint of Glenwood Elementary School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I inventoried energy and water consumption, modeled costs and benefits of several efficiency upgrades, and implemented those that were possible within a $1000 grant I received from the Kathryn Hoenig Gift. Glenwood is currently responsible for annual emissions of approximately 398 metric tons of CO2 equivalent and 871 kilo gallons of water consumption. Last year, this energy and water consumption carried a price tag of $80,940, of which most ($75,709) was attributable to electricity and natural gas. The energy and water upgrades I chose to implement are low-cost with rapid payback periods. They are very cost-effective, though the magnitude of their impact is small compared to Glenwood’s energy and water consumption as a whole. These measures will save the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools approximately $750, more than 6800 kWh of electricity, and 44,700 gallons of water annually. Because the upgrades were purchased with grant money, this is essentially an annual $750 donation toward helping the school district meet its educational goals. Implementing such initiatives will also avoid 7,089 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions annually. Efficient energy and water use provide financial and environmental benefits, a sometimes elusive partnership. Approximately $850 of the $1000 grant covered the costs of these upgrades. The remaining funds purchased additional lighting timers for the district to use elsewhere and three Kill-A-Watt energy meters for the Glenwood science teacher (a sustainability advocate) to use in teaching her students about energy efficiency.
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    Financially Viable Sustainability Solutions in Multifamily Residential Properties
    (2018-04-27) Long, Adam; Walker, Colin
    Drucker and Falk is a family-owned real estate company that focuses on third-party fee management of multifamily properties. Through isolated LED retrofit projects, Drucker and Falk realized the environmental and financial benefits of sustainability projects and is now seeking to implement financially viable sustainability solutions for its whole portfolio of more than 350 properties. In order to provide solutions that work for all Drucker and Falk properties, this study created a best practices guide and interactive Excel-based models that Drucker and Falk can use to identify and analyze potential sustainability strategies. This project then conducted case studies, applying the provided tools to three Drucker and Falk properties in order to demonstrate the process and benefits of increased sustainability practices. The case studies revealed potential environmental benefits and cost savings in utility bill management, lighting retrofits, pool pump alterations, and future building design. The tools provided by this project, along with the case study findings, will be used as a foundation for additional analysis and implementation of sustainability projects across the entire Drucker and Falk portfolio.
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    Green Building at Duke University: Potential Energy Savings and GHG Benefits Achieved by Renovating Existing Residence Halls
    (2008-04-24T20:47:57Z) Franken, Jason
    In the U.S., buildings currently account for 65% of total electricity consumption, 36% of total primary energy use, 12% of potable water consumption and 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. The growing field of green building encourages non-traditional building designs that reduce energy use and natural resource consumption which in turn minimize adverse environmental impacts. This study assesses the energy and environmental benefits achieved through a recent LEED-certified renovation at Duke University’s Kilgo Quad. Data for this analysis was collected by performing sustainability audits and reviewing utility records to quantify changes in energy and water consumption at Kilgo Quad and Few Quad, a similar building which is slated for renovation in Summer 2008. Compared to the 2001 baseline, Kilgo Quad experienced significant reductions of 20% in electricity consumption and 35% in water consumption immediately following the renovation in 2004. However, Few Quad experienced greater reductions of 35% in electricity consumption and nearly 50% in water consumption over the same time period, without the benefit of any renovation. After 2005, annual increases in resource consumption were two to three times larger in magnitude at Kilgo, returning the building to nearly pre-renovation levels by 2006. By 2006, despite having less square footage, fewer people and the benefit of the recently-completed renovation, Kilgo Quad used more energy per square foot and more water per person than Few Quad. Kilgo Quad’s overall CO2-eq emissions actually surpassed the emissions from Few Quad in 2006 as well. While no single factor can be determined to account for this under-performance, it is my belief that changes in individual demand for resources were a key driver behind the unexpectedly high consumption levels at Kilgo. Upgrades to electrical wiring increased plug-in load capacity by a factor of ten, enabling occupants to use electricity differently and possibly contributing to greater phantom load impacts and a rebound effect, neutralizing any efficiency gains expected after the renovation. Further study is needed to determine exactly why Kilgo Quad is not performing as well as Few Quad and exerting a larger impact on the environment. Green building offers numerous benefits, and can contribute significantly to Duke University’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral in the future, however it should be noted that achieving LEED certification does not necessarily guarantee long-term reductions in energy and water consumption. University planners must consider whether a renovation will change a building’s capacity for consuming resources and then seek a good balance between optimal comfort and effective resource management. Occupant education and improved metering strategies are also critical keys to successful green renovations at Duke University.