Helping Higher Ed: Solutions to Advance Sustainability Goals in Campus Mechanical Systems

By Brad Smalling

“It’s time for universities to really step up for heroic action in the way that universities did around some other issues in the past. It’s time for new types of knowledge to be produced, new ways of thinking.” — Michael Crow, Arizona State University president, addressing the Global Sustainable Development Congress in 2023

The push for higher education campuses to reach sustainability and net-zero goals is stronger than ever, and more and more college and university leaders understand they must take action. Over 800 higher education institutions have signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, pledging to “achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible.” Administrators of these colleges and universities need contractors, architects, engineers and project managers in the school construction space who are well-versed in the latest sustainability solutions to serve that growing demand. 

Many campuses could benefit from such expertise since they have long faced significant challenges in meeting sustainability goals. Due to budgetary constraints that have deprioritized mechanical system upgrades and maintenance over the years, many higher education facilities are operating with outdated systems that are either underperforming or in need of significant, costly repairs. They also face challenges in finding qualified operators to maintain complex systems. In addition, construction projects must work around the academic schedule, making sure to cause as little disruption to student life as possible.  

Campus administrators have many options when it comes to reaching sustainability goals. This can make it difficult to know where to start. In this article, we’ll discuss choices stakeholders can consider as they progress toward more environmentally friendly institutions.

Replacing Steam Systems with Low-Temp Hot Water Systems 

Many universities in the U.S. have been around for decades — centuries, even. Harvard was founded in 1636, Northwestern in 1851 and UCLA in 1919. The preserved facades and architectural details of historic campus buildings are real-life records of a school’s rich history, but their infrastructure and systems need to evolve with modern technology.  

Many universities use steam heating systems to provide heat and hot water, but these are energy-intensive solutions. Since steam systems require water to be heated to boiling, they use far more energy than modern alternatives, according to The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In addition, some older steam boilers are fueled with heating oil, which produces more carbon emissions than the natural gas or electricity typically used to power hot water heating systems. 

Converting from steam heating to an energy-efficient low-temperature hot water heating system can help higher education institutions advance their sustainability goals. According to HUD, replacing steam boilers with hot water boilers can reduce costs by up to 39%. Some universities are taking advantage of the significant savings opportunities the solution offers. In 2022, Princeton announced a project to replace its 150-year-old district steam system with a hot water system as part of the university’s goal to reach net carbon neutrality by 2046. 

Thinking Beyond One Building at a Time with District Energy 

As the expression goes, no man is an island. Yet, many older buildings on college campuses function that way. They operate on their own individual HVAC systems, limiting the ability to recapture wasted heating or cooling energy.  

Converting to a centralized district energy system, which can heat and cool up to 90% of buildings on a college campus with a single system, allows universities to combine facilities’ cooling loads. The rejected waste heat can then be funneled directly into heating loads. According to a University of Michigan study, district energy systems help campuses cut greenhouse gas emissions, minimize their carbon footprints, and cut fuel costs, all while advancing larger sustainability goals. 

Using the Environment Available 

It stands to reason that the University of Florida and the University of Minnesota have different heating and cooling needs. A thermal energy storage system allows campuses in varied climates to save energy by utilizing their own weather. In simple terms, a thermal storage system in Minnesota can store water cooled in winter for air conditioning use in summer. In Florida, such a system can store heat energy on sweltering days that can later be used to power cooling systems in summer or heating systems in winter. Alternatively, some thermal energy storage systems use electricity during off-peak hours — at night, for example — to generate energy to be stored and used for cooling the next day. The University of Arizona’s thermal energy storage system, one of the largest in the world, saves the campus $38,000 a month in heating and cooling costs. 

Future-Proofing Systems with the Right Methodology and Materials 

District energy systems and other centralized energy infrastructure can significantly move the needle for universities working to reach net zero goals. While this path is least disruptive to the campus and offers immediate results, universities are not reaping the full benefits of these strategies if they do not also consider implementing system efficiencies at the building level. Leaving legacy HVAC systems in 100-year-old buildings untouched contributes to energy inefficiencies and can tip the scales away from net-zero goals.  

From retrofitting existing facilities, to new builds and larger initiatives like district energy conversion, all construction projects can be disruptive to campus life. However, leveraging virtual design and construction services and piping movement design/engineering during a project’s design stages can mitigate risk, expedite construction timelines, reduce material consumption and decrease the risk of rework. Strategies such as building information modeling (BIM) to meticulously plan pipe routes can prevent over-ordering of materials, reduce the number of deliveries during installation and avoid on-site complications. Calculating piping movement, conducting stress analysis and determining anchor loads and locations up front ensure the design is compatible with both the building and piping system, positioning it for optimal long-term performance.  

Selecting the right methodology and materials can also go a long way in compressing construction schedules and minimizing disruptions in the classroom. Grooved pipe-joining technology is simple to install and can be done with common tools regardless of the project’s scale or complexity. Installing a grooved system also eliminates the need for open flames and hazardous emissions, including air pollutants and metal fumes generated by welding.  

Systems that are easier to service are more likely to be kept running at peak performance, saving facilities money in the long run. Grooved joints can easily be taken apart for maintenance and reused if properly inspected and found undamaged. In addition, grooved joints offer greater flexibility and constructability, allowing for easy reconfiguration or expansion, leaving the door open to incorporate future sustainability solutions as technology evolves.  

Construction Professionals Can Be a Guide   

Moving toward sustainability may, at times, seem difficult, expensive and time-consuming, but higher education leaders know it is necessary for their stakeholders and the greater good of the planet. Every college and university around the United States has unique needs and requires tailored solutions. Having the support of a knowledgeable architect, designer or contractor can help higher education leaders evaluate their options and take that first step toward a more sustainable future. 

Brad Smalling has over 17 years of experience supporting clients in the construction industry. He is a regional business development manager at Victaulic, a leading global producer of mechanical pipe-joining, flow control and fire protection solutions for the most complex piping applications.