Just as your car requires regular tune-ups to run smoothly and efficiently, buildings need tune-ups too. Over time, buildings become less efficient, using more energy to satisfy occupant comfort, heating, and lighting requirements.

From 2010 to 2014, UBC will implement a “tune up” program on its Vancouver campus in partnership with BC Hydro. In total, we will tweak 72 core academic buildings to shave off as much electrical and thermal energy as possible, while maintaining or even improving comfort.  Then, we’ll sustain this new “optimized” state through real-time performance monitoring, targeting and reporting.

Why implement the program

Buildings account for over 95% of UBC's greenhouse gas emissions. This tune up program, also known as “Continuous Optimization,” is a key part of UBC’s Climate Action Plan target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2015.  Along with behaviour change programs, the tune-up will lead to a 10% reduction in campus energy consumption and GHG emissions by 2015.

Last year, we piloted the program in two buildings, Buchanan Tower and Neville Scarfe, cutting enough electricity to power 30 homes. Imagine what we can achieve over time after completing all 72 buildings.

What you can do

What you plug in to outlets can have a large impact on your building’s electricity use, including computers, printers and office equipment. In a typical building, these “plug loads” account for 10-30% of electricity use while lighting can be as high as 30-45%. Plus, the waste heat given off by equipment can also trigger the air conditioning in certain buildings—placing even more demand on our electricity supply.

Computers and monitors present the biggest opportunity for you to help save energy on campus so set your computer's power-saving option to turn off your monitor and computer when they are not in use.

Check out the FAQs for more on what you can do to help save energy at UBC.

How you can submit feedback

Phase One will be launched in January 2012 in 17 buildings across UBC’s Vancouver campus.

Once launched, if you work in one of the 17 buildings undergoing a building tune up and find you’re uncomfortable, please contact Trouble Calls at 604-822-2173 or submit a request online so we can address the root of the problem and find a permanent solution.

How you can monitor performance

Real-time energy management software provided by Pulse Energy will track whether each building is on course.

You can visit the dashboard at any time to monitor each building’s daily performance, comparing each day’s electricity use.

Contact

To find out more about this initiative, please email Lillian Zaremba, Climate and Energy Engineer.

Resources

Building Tune Up FAQs