Energy Efficient Upgrades at the University of Central Missouri Scheduled to be Complete this Fall
Upgrades are guaranteed an annual savings of more than $735,000

July 15, 2010 

Last spring, the University of Central Missouri embarked on an unprecedented $36.1 million energy savings contract (ESCO) with Trane.  The ESCO addressed $20 million in deferred maintenance and $16.1 million in energy efficient upgrades on the Warrensburg campus.  Construction on the project was scheduled to last through the spring of 2011, taking approximately 24 months to complete.  Currently, the project is ahead of schedule and is projected to be complete in the fall of 2010, six months ahead of schedule.    

Key upgrades of the project included the installation of renewable energy-efficient HVAC systems, new hot water distribution systems, installation of more energy-efficient lighting and campus-wide building automation, life safety measures, and installation of geothermal heating and cooling.  To date, approximately 85% of the upgrades are complete.  100% of the lighting and water retrofits are complete and the geothermal heating and cooling system is fully operational.  The university has already experienced nearly $500,000 in savings as a result of the upgrades.   

Additionally, the university is working with Trane and Quality Attributes Software to install “green” touch screens throughout the campus which will be used to educate the campus and community of the various sustainability initiatives occurring on campus.  The green screens are projected to be installed before the school year begins this fall.  Visitors will be able to take a tour of the campus, view all the energy efficient upgrades that have been installed on the campus, learn about various sustainability clubs and activities happening on campus and learn what they can do to make a difference and become involved in UCMs effort toward becoming a carbon neutral campus. 

The $36.1 million ESCO was designed to save approximately 31% of annual energy costs.  Trane guarantees the University an annual energy and operational savings of more than $735,000.  However, the university is on track to observe savings in excess of the guaranteed amount. More importantly, the university is saving an abundance of carbon emissions.  The ESCO project is projected to reduce C0₂ emissions by 7,541 tons – equivalent to taking 1,381 cars off the road or reducing emissions equal to 1,714 acres of forests sequestering carbon – when complete. 

A project of this magnitude does not come without national recognition.  The university has been featured in numerous publications, webinars, and conferences to share the challenges and successes of this monumental project.  Dr. Betty Roberts, vice president for administration and finance, has conducted webinars for Banc of America, Clinton Climate Initiative, and Second Nature.  She has also been invited to speak at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Conference later this month and at CACUBO in October.  The university has also been nominated for numerous awards to recognize their sustainability efforts.  The University of Central Missouri is truly a leader in energy efficiency and sustainability. 

To view ESCO information and schedules for a particular building, simply position your cursor over the building on the map located on the Home Page.  Click on the building and you will be redirected to building-specific ESCO information.