Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  August 16, 2024

UMass Lowell Retrofits 5 Buildings to Lower Emissions

UMass Lowell is retrofitting five buildings on its campus to improve energy efficiency and lower emissions.

The Facilities Management department has been charged with retro-commissioning projects at Perry Hall, the Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC), Coburn Hall, the Pulichino Tong Business Center and the Campus Recreation Center, according to an article by UMass Lowell.

Retro-commissioning involves improving and optimizing the performance of the systems and equipment of buildings, including lighting, air-handling units and thermostats.

“It looks at an entire building ecosystem and makes adjustments to the management system to run as efficiently and safely as possible,” said UML Energy Manager Dan Abrahamson.

Four of the five buildings involved in the project already received LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.  

The retro-commissioning work was conducted by B2Q Associates, an engineering consulting firm based in Andover, Massachusetts, and began with Perry Hall, a North Campus engineering building.  B2Q analyzed the building in the spring of 2023 and found many opportunities to generate a 30% reduction in its overall energy consumption. 

Recent measures show Perry Hall now utilizes 33% less natural gas and 25% less electricity, and the building's carbon footprint also declined by 30% as its CO2 emissions fell by 395,000 annually.

The retro-commission for Saab ETIC was conducted in multiple phases and resulted in the reduction of electricity usage by 18% and natural gas usage by 17% for an overall 18% reduction in the building’s total energy usage.

ETIC’s carbon footprint also declined by 21%, or 713,000 pounds, of CO2 annually.

B2Q will next conduct retrofits on Coburn Hall, Pulichino Tong and the Campus Rec Center.

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