Energy Management

The university is committed to minimizing energy consumption by establishing long-range conservation goals, temperature and lighting standards, and other programs designed to improve energy efficiency.
Building occupants are encouraged to participate in the program by turning off lights and equipment when rooms are unoccupied. State Energy Management policies require that interior air not to be heated above 68 degrees nor cooled below 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and that windows and doors be kept closed to prevent loss of conditioned air. These policies also require HVAC equipment be shut off during weekends, holidays, nights and other times during non-working or unoccupied hours. Mechanical systems are controlled by a computerized, DDC type energy management system (EMS). Heating and air conditioning service requests may be made by calling extension 75170.

Energy Savings Projects in Progress

Utilities Connections

Electrical, natural gas, water, sewage or other utility connections must meet applicable codes and be performed by Facilities Services employees or licensed contractors under the immediate direction of Facilities Services Administration. Specialized planning may be necessary prior to connecting equipment to campus utility services. Requests for connection to the campus utilities system should be made in writing to the Director of the Facilitites Services. Please call extension 5166 to request additional information

Utilities Services

Facilitites Services operates and maintains all university utility distribution systems. All building heating and air conditioning systems are maintained by the Heating and Air Conditioning department that operates out of the Central Plant Facility. The Central Plant produces high temperature hot water (HTHW), chilled water, domestic hot water, and compressed air which is distributed to the major buildings on campus via the utility tunnel system. The Central Plant is staffed from 4:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight, seven days a week. Building HVAC equipment operation schedules are adhered to in order to conserve utility expenditures. The Central Plant operator may be contacted at extension 5170.
Electric power is currently supplied by Southern California Edison and is distributed throughout the campus on a 12 kilovolt primary grid. Service voltages vary by location and include 480 volt, 277 volt, 208 volt, and 120 volt.

Natural gas is purchased from the State Department of General Services (DGS) and from The Gas Company and is used to generate HTHW, provide space heating, and operate absorption chillers in the Central Plant.

Water, sewage, and refuse services are purchased from the City of San Bernardino.

Non-general fund programs must reimburse the university for utility services. Utility consumption is metered and programs are billed for actual usage.

Campus Utility Expenditures

Utility funds are placed in a centrally-managed general fund (state) campus. Utility reimbursements from non-general fund programs (non-state) are placed in this same account. Utility savings are not reverted to Facilities Services, but to the centrally-managed account for campus use.
The Facilities Services reviews bills received from utilities and generates the monthly Energy Consumption Report (ECR or MER - Monthly Energy Report). The ECR is a required by the Chancellor's Office and reports all state and non-state energy usage related to the campus. Coinciding with the ECR, utility statements are sent to non-state entities on campus requesting reimbursement for their utility usage. As directed by the Chancellor's Office, the campus is to identify self-support programs and charge them for all energy services provided from General Fund resources.

The distribution of the ECR and utility statements is directly related to the reception of utility bills and resolution of bill disputes for a particular month. Sometimes utility bills are received four or five weeks after the end reading period, which in turn will delay the generation of the ECR and campus utility statements. (See Energy Management - Utilities Budget.)

Utility Rebate Incentive Program - Awards Received!

A Thermal Energy Storage (TES) tank was brought on line in 1993, as part of an energy services contract. The contract was three-fold:
1) TES was installed to increase energy capacity without adding more mechanical equipment (such as chillers) and to decrease utility charges by allowing the campus to operate large machines at night and store chilled water for daytime use.

2) A Computerized Energy Management System (EMS by Barbara-Colman) was installed in all existing buildings, approximately 13 buildings at that time.

3) Chilled water economizer pumping systems were installed in each of the older buildings. As a result of the installation of TES, SCE awarded the campus $321,400 from their Utility Rebate Incentive Program which is typically reinvested in additional energy conservation projects.

Do you have an Energy Conservation Idea?

Please feel free to forward any conservation ideas to the Facilities Services by contacting LeRoy Wilke, x75170, or email: lwilke@csusb.edu. We welcome your input.