Virginia Commonwealth University
OP-7: Building Energy Consumption

Upon reviewing our submission and the methodology for calculating the scores found in OP Credit 7, Building Energy Consumption, I found what I would consider two inadequacies. First, there is no methodology for normalizing the score based on either monthly or annual temperature changes (heating degree days and cooling degree days). In our case the swing of cooling degree days between the base year of 2005 and the performance year 2011 was significant; rising from 1571 CDD in 2005 to 2047 CDD in 2011, an increase of 23%. This directly affects the energy consumed to cool our facilities. Second, there is no means to normalize for student population. In our case as a growing University student growth has outpaced the growth of our facilities meaning that our buildings are being used more intensely raising our BTU per square foot. If either of these two normalizations had been applied to our energy consumption, our reduction in energy consumption would be better represented.