Energy & Environmental Conservation

For the past few years UDM has been improving their heating and cooling capabilities. In 2004 UDM replaced the failing steam absorption chillers and installed new 400 and 600 ton chillers with compatible cooling towers in a central chiller plant located in the power house.

Additionally the following improvements were completed or are in the plans for future improvements:

• Replacing McNichols steam absorbers with centrifugal chillers.
• Repairing and replacing University condensate return system.
• Adding an adjustable burner on one of the boilers to allow natural gas to be used more efficiently in the transition and summer seasons.
• Changing out motors with more energy efficient models.
• Implementing the Tridium Energy Management System: a web based energy management system which allows equipment to be adjusted based on occupancy of areas.  Currently this system is tied to most major HVAC equipment.  It is Facilities' hope to add electrical and other mechanical systems to the Tridium System for better control and monitoring.
• Replacing city water-cooled air conditioning units with more efficient models.