Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.92
Liaison Christie-Joy Hartman
Submission Date Dec. 21, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

James Madison University
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.82 / 6.00 Rodney Lam
Automation Systems Manager
Energy/Utilities and Building
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1

This credit is based on energy inputs from offsite sources and electricity produced by onsite renewables. When the institution purchases one fuel and uses it to produce heat and/or power, you should enter only what is purchased. For example, if the institution purchases natural gas to fuel a CHP system and produce steam and electricity, only the purchased natural gas should be reported.

Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Grid-purchased electricity 372,236 MMBtu 281,413 MMBtu
Electricity from on-site renewables 44 MMBtu 24 MMBtu
District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) 489,141 MMBtu 390,802 MMBtu
Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) 266,762 MMBtu 152,015 MMBtu
Total 1,128,183 MMBtu 824,254 MMBtu

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016
Baseline Year July 1, 2008 June 30, 2009

A brief description of when and why the building energy consumption baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):
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Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area of building space 6,761,579 Gross square feet 5,309,728 Gross square feet

Source-site ratio for grid-purchased electricity:
3.14

Total building energy consumption per unit of floor area:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Site energy 0.17 MMBtu per square foot 0.16 MMBtu per square foot
Source energy 0.30 MMBtu per square foot 0.28 MMBtu per square foot

Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
0

Part 2 

Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
Degree days (see help icon above)
Heating degree days 3,931 Degree-Days (°F)
Cooling degree days 1,292 Degree-Days (°F)

Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
Floor Area
Laboratory space 51,748 Square feet
Healthcare space 16,240 Square feet
Other energy intensive space

EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
7,300,115 Gross square feet

Building energy consumption (site energy) per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
29.59 Btu / GSF / Degree-Day (°F)

Optional Fields 

Documentation (e.g. spreadsheet or utility records) to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
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A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency (e.g. outreach and education efforts):
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A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
In order to conserve energy, JMU employs several strategies to operate systems efficiently: 1) Scheduling: During unoccupied hours, buildings are placed into standby condition where the HVAC system is effectively turned off. 2) Sensors: A combination of motion, carbon dioxide, and occupancy sensors allow JMU to reduce the amount of outside air brought into buildings in the case of carbon dioxide sensors or turn off the HVAC system when a student opens the window in a dorm room. 3) Variable Frequency Drivers are also being installed on motors throughout campus allowing motors to operate at a speed proportional to power need.

A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
Beginning in 2011 the University began a widespread effort to retrofit LED lighting across campus as funding became available. A total of over 2100 LED lights have been installed across campus resulting in an estimated reduction in electricity usage of over 750,000 kWh per year. Additionally, the University completed a comprehensive Dark Sky Study in 2016 that evaluated over 2000 exterior light fixtures across campus and determined their level of light pollution. The study found that 97% of the fixtures on campus are classified as either Cutoff or Full Cutoff by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The study provided recommendations for replacing the "worst offender" lights on campus with higher efficient lighting that would reduce their contribution to light pollution.

A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
In the renovation of Wayland Hall, a LEED platinum certified building, JMU installed 32 wells as part of a “geothermal” ground source heat exchange using a water-to-water heat pump, and this new system is estimated to save 39% on energy usage in comparison to an average building of that size and use.

A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
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A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment and systems with high efficiency alternatives (e.g. building re-commissioning or retrofit programs):
JMU’s Policy 1701 requires that all electric products purchased by JMU meet the US EPA Energy Star certification. JMU’s Building Automation team also performs retro-commissioning by verifying all sensors and controllers related to the HVAC system and with the current control system upgrade underway, will be able to improve temperature management, outdoor air volume adjustments, and equipment scheduling.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Gross floor area of building space entered for this credit is based on data provided from the energy budget and is based on utility data.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.