Energy Savings

Message to the Carleton Community Regarding Energy Reduction

The Department of Physical Plant cooperates with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in appealing to the Carleton community to conserve electricity consumption especially during the peak demand periods between 3:00pm and 8:00pm. There have been a number of occasions when the IESO has instituted measures to reduce the strain on the system by issuing public appeals to reduce energy consumption and on a few occasions had to resort to 5% voltage reductions across the system. We are pleased with the response and cooperation from our community and thank you for your efforts in meeting our reduction targets over the periods of these appeals.

A reduction in transmission or generation availability or any increase in demand creates shortfalls and requires proactive actions such as emergency purchases from other jurisdictions or voltage reductions on the Ontario system. We can all continue to assist with doing our share to reduce demands on the electricity system by:

• Turning off all but essential internal and external lights;
• Turning off computers overnight and on weekends;
• Turning off laser printers, photocopiers, etc. overnight and on weekends;
• Setting air conditioners to 26 degrees Celsius or higher, or using fans as an alternative;
• Closing curtains and blinds to keep the sun out and retain cooler air inside;
• Reduce the use of electricity intensive equipment; and
• Delay the use of major power consuming appliances such as ovens, dishwashers, washers, dryers and swimming pool pumps until after 8:00pm.

The Department continues its efforts implementing strategic initiatives to the extent of funding availability, to manage energy consumption and conservation, which include:

• Construction Standards to incorporate more energy-saving features in new buildings and during major renovations. The University’s long-term operational costs will be lower if projects incorporate more energy-saving equipment, lights, HVAC, and automated system management features and standards;
• Proactive maintenance and repair of building systems and campus-wide utility distribution systems. This includes adding insulation to reduce outdoor element infiltration, maintaining steam traps and system valves, locating and repairing leaks, updating the local and global controls systems for greater operational efficiency, and working towards reducing the deferred maintenance backlog on these systems;
• We are in the process of upgrading our chilled-water production and distribution systems to consolidate existing proliferation of cooling equipment, reduce maintenance costs and improve energy efficiency. This initiative will increase the central chilled-water system capacity, allowing decommissioning of old and inefficient chillers and smaller, multiple air-conditioning and roof-top units at individual buildings, leading to improved indoor environmental controls;
• Conversion of HVAC control systems in many buildings from old, inefficient pneumatic control systems or obsolete Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems to the state-of-the-art, centrally controlled “Delta DDC” systems. These upgrades will improve the operational efficiency of the HVAC systems by reducing energy waste from out of adjustment/calibration and allow temperatures to be reduced during non-operational hours