Energy Management
Energy Management operates and maintains the campus building automation system. This computerized system is used to monitor and control building heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
For temperature problems, please call 273-4400.
Department Functions
Energy Management operates and maintains the campus building automation system. They maintain this system and assist with maintenance personnel. They schedule the buildings in accordance with the occupancy hours furnished by the Registrar’s office, and alter the hours due to holidays and special events.
Energy Management also collects and analyzes energy use from the building energy meters. Addition to energy issues, alarm monitoring and reporting is also handled using the automation system.
Variable Air Volumes
Variable air volume (VAV) is a type of heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. Many of the buildings on campus have variable air volume systems. This system consists of an air handling unit, heating/cooling coils and VAV boxes downstream for distribution throughout the building.
VAV boxes are flow control devices that consist of an air damper and reheat coil. This allows for the air coming from the central air handling unit to be distributed to the space as needed.
This type of system enables all zones to be controlled separately by each VAV box. A single VAV box typically serves 2-3 offices or a single classroom or conference space that is controlled by the space sensor in the room.
What is Building Automation?
Building automation controls the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building. The control system is described as a computerized network of devices designed to monitor and control the HVAC systems, fire alarm and lighting in a building.
The building automation system, which is commonly referred to as direct digital controls (DDC), is used for many things. It enables systems to communicate to one another to keep the building running efficiently. Some of the core functions are keeping the building climate within a specified range, controlling the amount of ventilation, scheduling the heating, air conditioning and lighting during occupied times, and monitoring system performance and indicating device failures.