UNLV SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
Issuance Date: September 1, 2007
Policy Sustainability # 3, Volume I , Chapter 1
Expiration Date: Until Rescinded
Responsible Executive: Vice President for Finance and Business
Approved: Dr. David B. Ashley, President
Sustainability and Energy/Water Efficiency Policy
Existing State Funded Buildings
Policy Statement
The mandate for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is to be the beacon concerning environmental sustainability and energy/water efficiency. Best practices will be utilized to achieve the goals of sustainability within limits of funding and resource availability.
Reason for Policy
Although many of the actions for and energy/water efficiency are the responsibility of Facilities Management, overall environmental stewardship is a campus-wide mandate and needs to be viewed as such. To be good stewards of our environment and protect our natural resource, UNLV must have a primary objective directed toward sustainability. It is imperative that the campus adopts a sustainability and energy/water efficiency policy to promote efficient use of energy and water while protecting the environment. Effective Sustainability could result in savings that can be reinvested into UNLV high priorities, in addition to conserving our natural resources. Although energy conservation is the focus of this policy, comfortable work and study conditions must also be achieved.
Entities Affected by This Policy
All UNLV Colleges, Departments, Auxiliaries, Organizations, Contractors, or Personnel using UNLV facilities, owned or leased.
Who Should Read This Policy
Provost and Vice Presidents.
Deans.
Directors.
Faculty.
Staff.
Students.
All who are interested in sustainability and energy efficiency.
Procedures
Introduction
The Senior Vice President for Finance and Business (SVPF&B), with Facilities Management as his agent, has the overall responsibility for energy and water efficiency for buildings at UNLV. The SVPF&B, together with Facilities Management and Planning and Construction, are in campus leadership roles to help promote and support overall environmental sustainability goals. The purpose of this procedure is to provide understanding, guidance, and direction to all who are involved in campus buildings.
Project Initiatives
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Sources ---
To investigate pending funds, determine resource availability, then implement sustainable and renewable projects. These would include all technologies available such as Photovoltaics, Solar Collectors, Bio-waste products, Ground Source Heat Pump Systems, and Water Smart Landscaping (Xeriscaping).
To obtain all available rebates or subsidies from any sources to make these endeavors more economically viable. Examples are Nevada Power’s Solar Generations and Sure Bet Programs or Southern Nevada Water Authority’s landscaping rebate.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Existing Buildings (LEED EB) ---
To use LEED EB as a guideline to apply to existing building renovations, replacements and repairs, as well as new construction.
“Green” Products, Services and Equipment ---
During the planning and installation of all renovations, replacements, new construction, and repairs, Priority consideration must be given to high efficiency and environmentally friendly products and services. Examples of which are: lighting, motors, HVAC, etc.
To purchase Energy Star appliances and equipment if available.
To purchase “Green” products such as cleaning supplies.
Communications
To support overall campus environmental sustainability goals and to engage the UNLV Community (Faculty, Staff, and Students) in sustainability and energy efficiency. Any media options may be used “to get the word out.”
To continue to participate in programs which encourage the public to do its part. The Energy Star “Change a Light Campaign” is an example.
Process
UNLV Temperature Guidelines —
To maintain reasonable comfort and lower energy expenditures, UNLV has adopted the State of Nevada Energy Conservation Plan recommended standards for comfort heating and cooling. Summer thermostat settings (air conditioning) are to be 76 to 78 degrees F. Winter settings (heating) are to be 68 to 72 degrees F. Exceptions to these guidelines must be approved.
Building Resource Management —
Windows and doors need to be kept closed during the heating season and during the summer in those areas that have mechanical cooling. Every member of the UNLV community will be asked to assume the responsibility of closing windows, turning off personal (desktop) computers and other office equipment when not in use, and shutting off the lights when leaving a room. Energy management devices and strategies will continue to be added. Schedulers of classes, meetings, and other campus activities will endeavor to minimize energy use. Evening and weekend classes will be concentrated in the fewest buildings possible, and where appropriate, the buildings used will be those that already have late night temperature setback. Use of stairs rather than elevators, except for the physically challenged and persons transporting heavy equipment or materials, is encouraged.
Lighting —
In compliance with Nevada Assembly Bill 178, which states that by January 2012 all incandescent bulbs will be banned in the state of Nevada, interior lighting will be energy efficient technologies such as fluorescent or LED as appropriate. New energy-saving fixtures, lamps and ballasts will be used to replace existing less efficient lighting whenever economically feasible and appropriate. Exterior lighting will be high-pressure sodium or metal halide (metal halide is preferred) whenever possible, and will meet minimum current safety requirements. Decorative lighting will be kept to a minimum. Lighting levels recommended by the most recent edition of the IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) Lighting Handbook shall be used as guidelines. Where it makes economic sense, occupancy/motion sensors (ultrasonic or infrared) wired to area lighting will be installed to reduce and/or turn off lights in unoccupied, vacated areas. Day-lighting controls will be installed to automatically adjust lighting levels as appropriate. Task lighting, such as desk lamps, is recommended to reduce overall ambient lighting levels. Desk lights will be of the fluorescent type, which are now readily available.
Space Heaters —
Only electric space heaters purchased and owned by UNLV are allowed for use in campus buildings. In addition, the use of space heaters is only for emergency and temporary conditions. This requirement is necessary for fire safety and energy efficiency. All space heaters used on campus must be approved for fire safety, as classified by the National Fire Protection Association. No liquid fueled space heaters (e.g., kerosene heaters) shall be used on the UNLV Campus. Some electric space heaters also pose an unacceptable fire hazard. All space heaters must meet the following four specifications: Heaters must (1) be UL approved, (2) have elements that are protected from contact, (3) be tilt-proof (when tipped over, heater goes off), and (4) be thermostat-controlled. The issue of energy efficiency is also important — electric space heaters are a very costly means of heating. If a member of the campus community feels that a space heater is necessary for adequate warmth, this may indicate that the central heating system needs repair. Facilities Management will be consulted if the central heating system is incapable of meeting comfort requirements. Facilities Management will also be contacted if a space heater is to be used to offset excessive air conditioning. State regulations require that UNLV follow ASHRAE Standard 90.1, which says that heating and cooling are not allowed simultaneously in the same space for the sole purpose of achieving comfort. Excessive cooling of a space on campus below the summertime UNLV Temperature Guidelines will be reported to UNLV Facilities so that air-conditioning levels can be adjusted.
Window Air Conditioning Units —
The use of window air conditioning/heat pump units is discouraged except in cases of last resort, which require Facilities Management approval. They cause damage to the buildings, have high life cycle cost (energy and maintenance), and are noisy. Facilities Management must approve a new application of a window unit. Specific petitions for installation will be reviewed only after Facilities Management has determined that the primary heating/cooling source is not capable of meeting UNLV Temperature Guidelines.
Switchover from Heating to Cooling and Cooling to Heating —
Facilities personnel perform required changeover from heating to air-conditioning in the spring. Because of the varying equipment installed throughout the campus, buildings must be changed over individually. Because there are many old systems on campus that require manual intervention between the heating and cooling seasons, Facilities Management performs the changeover on the basis of priorities established to maintain required temperatures to protect equipment and research in progress, and serve the greatest number of individuals and activities. Cooling (Air Conditioning) may not begin until outside temperature is at or above 75 degrees F for three consecutive days. Temperature projections are also considered. Heating may not begin until the high outside air temperature has dropped below at least 55 degrees F for three consecutive days. The wide swings in temperature during the spring and fall of the year and the difficulty in switching between heating and cooling make this policy necessary. Special problems or hardships with this policy will be addressed to Facilities Management.