Energy Efficiency
It is the University’s policy when replacing lights, motors, and appliances, to replace them with the highest efficiency systems available when appropriate. This initiative includes LED lighting, Energy Star appliances and high efficiency HVAC equipment.
In 2013, SU started its first big transition toward LED Lighting on campus, beginning with LED street lights along University Drive. In addition to the energy savings offered with this technology (LED’s typically use 20-25% of energy consumed by comparable incandescent lighting), these street lights employ “dark skies” technology, focusing the lighting downward where it’s needed, and not sideways or upward where it creates light pollution.
Currently there is a small array of Solar Panels that can be seen from the Shenandoah University campus. Over the Spring 2019 semester Shenandoah University plans to add arrays of 60-70 kilowatt on the Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre, 60-70 kilowatt on the Alson H. Smith, Jr. Library and a 300+ kilowatt on the Wilkins Athletics and Events Center. In 2018, Shenandoah University installed 36 350-watt SolarWorld monocrystalline solar panels on the lower south-facing roof of the James R. Wilkins.
The Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems have advanced control options that respond to outdoor conditions and building schedule to conserve energy and improve air quality.
Water Efficiency
Numerous plumbing fixtures have been replaced with low flow models including toilets, showerheads and faucets. The majority of toilets are now 1.6 gpf or lower. Some facilities on campus have dual flush toilets, such as the Wilkins Administration Building. There are ultra low (pint) flush urinals, which use 0.125 gpf compared to 1.0 gpf of standard urinals, are installed in other facilities, such as the Health and Life Sciences Building and the James R. Wilkins Jr. Athletics and Events Center. Low flow showerheads are used throughout campus, and most lavatory faucets and kitchen/break room sinks have aerators or flow restrictors.
Campus dishwashers and washing machines were replaced with Energy Star rated units in 2014. These units not only use less energy but also less water. The estimated savings from the washing machines alone is 1,519,000 gallons of water and $11,734 per year.
Gore Hall, a residence hall, is capped with a “green” roof.
The water features at Sarah’s Glen serve to filter rainwater before it flows into Abrams Creek
McKown Plaza behind the Brandt Student Center features permeable pavement.
Of all the developed landscape at Shenandoah, none of it is irrigated. Shenandoah’s planting plan includes choosing plant species that are low maintenance and require no regular irrigation. Why is this important? In a typical household, landscape irrigation accounts for up to half of all water consumption. At the university, this could translate to hundreds of thousands of gallons of water.
