Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and Honeywell (NYSE:HON) today announced a 15-year, $9.7-million conservation program that will help the University lower its energy spending by $1.3 million per year and decease annual carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 28.6 million pounds.
The program centers on energy-efficient upgrades to more than 40 buildings on the 585-acre campus located in western Pennsylvania. The University will finance the work from the energy and operational savings the improvements generate. The savings are guaranteed by Honeywell under a performance contract with Edinboro. As a result, the program will not increase University budgets or require additional taxpayer dollars.
“We’re very pleased to announce this proactive energy- and cost-saving collaborative initiative with Honeywell,” said Dr. Frank G. Pogue, President of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. “The improvements to be undertaken by this ambitious campus-wide project will not only decrease our energy expenses by a guaranteed 35 percent, but also reduce the University’s environmental impact.”
Dr. Pogue credited the leadership of Associate Vice President for Facilities Bill Coleman and the entire facilities team for its initiative in seeking out cutting-edge technology that will result in the significant facility improvements and energy savings.
“The Honeywell project is the kind of aggressive, forward-thinking planning that dominates our University culture,” Dr. Pogue said. “The savings in terms of dollars, combined with the incredible decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, establish Edinboro University as one of the state and national leaders in environmental, as well as fiscal, responsibility.”
According to figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the expected reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is equivalent to removing 2,800 vehicles from the road or saving more than 1.5 million gallons of gasoline every year.
The facility improvements will include the replacement or repair of numerous heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) units, along with the addition of a control system to centralize and optimize energy management across the University.
Honeywell also will retrofit lighting fixtures across campus, replacing outdated lamps and ballasts with energy-efficient technology; install sensors to reduce energy use in unoccupied areas; put in three new chillers and two boilers; and replace faucets, toilets and other plumbing devices to reduce water consumption. In addition, the company will install a 1-megawatt emergency generator to run essential systems during an electrical outage.
“This project is good for the environment," said Bill Coleman. “We are reducing our energy consumption, therefore we reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are polluting the environment. We are also conserving a significant amount of water through the installation of low-flow fixtures throughout the campus. The savings from the project will provide the University with the ability to fund many necessary capital improvements as part of this project.”
“All of the capital improvements are paid for directly from the savings associated with the project. This truly is a win-win situation,” Coleman said.
The upgrades will help Edinboro offset the impact of rising energy costs, while improving comfort for more than 8,500 students, faculty and staff on campus. Thanks to the guaranteed savings, the University also added a full-time staff member to manage energy use, allowing other members of the facilities department to focus on other maintenance issues.
Along with the building improvements, Honeywell will provide ongoing service, performance measurement and verification, and training as part of the contract.
The upgrades are underway, and University officials and Honeywell expect to complete the work by the end of 2008.
“More and more colleges and universities are faced with the proposition of tapping into student fees or school endowments to cope with rising energy costs,” said Kent Anson, Vice President of Global Energy for Honeywell Building Solutions. “This type of program, however, allows institutions like Edinboro to cut energy use, reduce their environmental footprint and improve comfort without having to make sacrifices when it comes to learning.”
Founded in 1857 by Scottish settlers, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania has grown to become the largest comprehensive university in northwestern Pennsylvania. Edinboro proudly celebrates its Scottish heritage every spring with the Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival.
The University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and enrolls approximately 7,800 students in 100 academic undergraduate and graduate programs. Edinboro is ranked among the nation’s top ten universities for its services for students with disabilities. To learn more about Edinboro University, visit our website at www.edinboro.edu.
Honeywell International is a $33 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com. Honeywell Building Solutions is part of the Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions business group, a global leader in providing product and service solutions that improve efficiency and profitability, support regulatory compliance, and maintain safe, comfortable environments in homes, buildings and industry. For more information about Building Solutions, access www.honeywell.com/buildingsolutions.
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