Energy Use Policy

Bradley University implements this energy policy that is fiscally, environmentally, and socially responsible. This policy will aggressively reduce our energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. In doing so, we will reduce our energy costs and reduce air emissions, including greenhouse gases, adopt effective conservation and renewal programs to control operating costs, promote environmental sustainability, and preserve our physical assets in a sound fiscal manner.

Bradley’s purpose for this policy is to reduce energy consumption through the process of raising campus awareness and stimulating participation of the entire campus population. Our goal is to reduce energy consumption and cost by eliminating waste and increasing energy efficiency in buildings, electrical equipment used in offices and labs, and campus transportation systems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation and transportation.

Energy Management Initiatives

1. Metering
   The campus will operate and maintain a utility metering program to provide timely and accurate information regarding campus energy consumption.  Responsible energy use relies on factual measures of consumption.  Increases or decreases in energy use require careful attention to consumption baseline data and subsequent changes.
2. Personal Responsibility
   It is the responsibility of each student, faculty, and staff member to minimize energy
   consumption on the campus wherever possible, including lowering thermostat settings in the winter; raising thermostat settings in the summer; and turning off lights, computer monitors, printers, copiers, and other electrical equipment when not in use.  Students, faculty, and staff members should dress for the weather, e.g., wear warmer clothes and sweaters in the winter, thus increasing personal comfort without need for additional fuel/electricity.
3. Education and Awareness
   The campus will implement a coordinated strategy to educate faculty, staff, and students’ about campus energy issues; and update them frequently about progress toward campus and unit conservation goals. Awareness and education will be directed from the sustainability committee and administration.
4. Computers and IT Equipment
   Printers, monitors, projectors, copy machines, and other office equipment should be turned off when not in use.  Shutdown of computers entails multiple considerations determined by the nature of the activity in buildings.
5. Purchasing
   Campus units should purchase energy-efficient equipment to the greatest extent possible.  Increase purchasing of products containing recycled products, Energy Star ratings for appliances and products if available, and increase purchasing of local and organic food products.
6. Transportation
   Bradley encourages pedestrian and bicycle modes of transportation to get around campus.  Additional bicycle racks are strategically placed around campus. In addition, Bradley has launched a free nighttime shuttle service for students, faculty and staff.  The Safety Cruiser is a six passenger van that operates from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. nightly in the campus area patrolled by the Bradley Police.  The safety cruiser supplements the walking escort patrol offered for many years.  
7. Reporting of Conspicuous Energy Waste
   Faculty, staff and students should report cases of obvious or excessive energy waste to Facilities via contacting Central Communication.
8. Standards for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation
   Energy standards for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in both new construction and modifications to existing facilities shall be the latest versions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1, "Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low Rise Residential," and ASHRAE Standard 62, "Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality."

Operational Procedures For Energy Management

1. Space Temperatures
   General space temperatures during occupied hours in the winter heating season should fall between 68-72 degrees F.  Where it is technically and programmatically feasible, temperatures during unoccupied periods should be maintained at 60 degrees  F or above.  Exceptions are special requirements areas such as animal rooms and research facilities with documented need for constant or warmer temperatures.
   General space temperatures during occupied hours in the air conditioning season should fall between 72-76 degrees F.  Where it is technically and programmatically feasible, unoccupied temperatures should be maintained at 80 degrees F. The same special area exceptions apply as in the heating policy above.
2. Space Heaters
   Space heaters should not be used in campus facilities, other than temporary outages when the primary building heat is not operational.  Space heaters use an inordinate amount of energy and can present an electrical and fire hazard.  Persons whose workspace cannot be heated to within the winter heating season guidelines above should call Central Communications for system analysis and repair.
3. Operating Hours of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Equipment
   Because most campus electricity is used by motor-driven mechanical systems, reduction in their hours of operation is paramount to achieving rapid and effective reduction of consumption.  Deans, directors, department heads, and administrators will encourage cooperation in their college/department/unit in responsibly reducing hours of HVAC operation within the limits dictated by true program needs. To the greatest extent possible, building HVAC systems should be operated only between building opening and closing times.
   Fume hood operation should be minimized to the greatest extent allowable, within appropriate safety guidelines.  Because fume hood operation entails the heating and/or cooling of large amounts of outdoor air via main fan systems, it is one of the single largest determinants of building energy use.  
4. Window Air Conditioning Units
   Window air conditioning units should be operated only during hours the space is occupied.  If acceptable space temperatures (see item A above) cannot be achieved without extensive running time of the unit, contact Central Communications.  Central Communications is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
5. Lighting
   Office and general lighting in buildings should be off during unoccupied hours, unless, required for security or personal safety in acknowledged risk areas.  Task lighting and natural light from windows and skylights are strongly encouraged, and should be employed before general room lighting is activated.  Decorative lighting is discouraged and should be kept to a minimum.  Exterior lighting should be employed only for personal safety and security.
6. Water
   Water consumption should be minimized wherever and whenever possible.  Water should not be left running and unattended. City water (potable water) shall not be used for direct cooling of equipment.  Such "once-through" water cooling systems, generally installed years ago for specialized apparatus, are prohibited because they run large amounts of potable water to drain, commonly twenty-four hours a day. Bottle fill stations have been installed in various locations on campus to encourage the use of reusable containers and decrease the use of plastic disposable water bottles.
7. Holiday Periods and Summer Session
   During periods when normal campus operations are suspended (e.g., December holiday break), substantial shutdown of normal heating and air conditioning will occur.  During the winter heating season, space temperatures as low as 60 degrees F are possible.  During the summer cooling season, space temperatures as high as 80 degrees F are possible.  Only specific, documented temperature requirements in research areas may supersede the above unoccupied limits.

Future Energy Planning For Campus Improvements

1. Energy and related impacts will be a decision factor in planning for and managing campus growth, remodeling, and development.
2. Since 2008 the University has committed to consider LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in all major campus projects.