Rowan University Science Hall Retro-Commissioning

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Overview

Rowan University’s Science Hall was constructed and began occupancy in 2004. At that time the 150,000 GSF building contained academic research and teaching laboratories, vivarium, planetarium, classrooms, and administrative office space. The building has 3 wings and abdicated HVAC system with air distributed to the spaces through variable air volume boxes with heat coils.

Project

Rowan University, concerned with the cost of energy related to poor energy performance, contracted STPCx to assess the condition of teh HVAC through a detailed investigative study. The investigation included an existing HVAC performance analysis based on actual field readings during multiple load conditions, load calculations, and existing equipment and controls improvement recommendations.

At the conclusion of the investigation, STPCx met with the University facilities and key researchers to agree on the implementation intent which included air balancing, performance and energy optimization of controls, and to coordinate the replacement of failed equipment by the University.

Aspects of Project Success

At the conclusion of work performed by STPCx, the University received a fully functional high performance building with considerable energy savings. SOme of the key energy savings are as follows:

• Reduction of Fume Hoods’ Maximum Air Flow by improving operating procedures resulted in CFM energy savings of ~$65,195/year.
• A 60% flow reduction at variable air volume boxes resulted in an equivalent of ~$79,000/year savings.
• Scheduled night set–back occupied / unoccupied mode was implemented in non-laboratory rooms which saved a minimum of ~$48,250/year. This change reduced comparative energy use by 57%.
• HVAC air re–balancing saved nearly 52,291 kWh/year, which is equivalent to ~$5,226. This also allowed the fans to reduce their operating speed by 44%, which also contributed to long term savings.
• Total Energy savings realized by the project improvements is ~$197,701/year.

This project realized significant returns to the University and demonstrated that the systems will contribute to greater comfort, less system noise, and less fume hood alarms.