ChallengeSince its construction in 1965, the J. Wayne Reitz Union
at the University of Florida had undergone numerous
reconfigurations, resulting in a mix of architectural styles
and stitched together systems. As administrators developed
expansion plans to accommodate campus growth, they also
wished to address the facility’s poor energy performance
and comfort challenges. Infrastructure issues included aging
air handlers, chiller plants that were not working together,
and outdated pneumatic controls. The University sought to
implement energy conservation measures (ECMs) that would
deliver maximum savings and efficiency.
SolutionAfter a competitive selection process involving several
vendors, the University of Florida selected Trane to implement
a performance contract that would include significant
infrastructure upgrades enabled by guaranteed energy savings.
Project goals were to replace obsolete systems and increase
capacity of the central cooling and heating plants, while
conserving energy. Trane began by using the TRACE™ 700
modeling program to evaluate energy use of the HVAC and
lighting systems. Relying on the Trane Building Advantage™
portfolio of energy services, Trane proposed a comprehensive
renovation, with more than fifty potential ECMs.
Saving energy and maintenance costs
Fluorescent, metal halide and compact fluorescent fixtures
were replaced with new LED fixtures throughout the facility.
New LED fixtures were carefully selected to improve aesthetics
and light quality. The LED's extended service life and dimming
capability in high ceiling areas help to reduce maintenance
time and costs.
Performance contracting upgrades at J. Wayne Reitz Union increase capacity; projected to exceed guaranteed savings of 3,728,505 kWh of electricity, 13,597 therms of steam/yr, and result in first year savings of $535,657; receive $90,549 under an energy efficiency structure.
The J. Wayne Reitz Union and surrounding complex includes the campus bookstore, ballrooms, auditoriums, meeting rooms, a food court, game room, office spaces, parking garage and a hotel with 36 guest rooms.
Optimizing building performance, increasing capacity
A redesign of the facility’s two chiller plants was implemented
to optimize building performance. The chilled water piping
between the two plants was redesigned to create a single
primary-secondary pumping system. The chilled water pumping
system was totally replaced and expanded to provide capacity
for the new expansion. A refrigerant monitoring system was
added in the chiller plant for improved safety.
The chiller plant was upgraded with a 2,000 kVA transformer,
electrical service and switchgear, and the steam heating
systems were replaced with a larger system to enable hot
water flow throughout the complex. To provide sustainability,
reliability and efficient operation, the existing chillers were
replaced with two 500-ton Trane® CenTraVac™ centrifugal
water-cooled chillers and a 375-ton Trane® Series S™
CenTraVac™ chiller that delivers the highest full- and part load
efficiencies in its tonnage range.
Univ. of Florida/J. Wayne Reitz UnionGainesville, Florida January 2017
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Enhancing efficiency and comfort
Eleven constant-volume air handling units were replaced with
more efficient variable-air-volume (VAV) Trane® Performance
Climate Changer™ air handlers for primary cooling. Trane
converted twenty recently installed constant-volume, multi-
and single-zone air handling units to VAV and added VAV
boxes, resulting in a substantial energy savings. Reconfiguring
the system allowed the complete removal of five air handlers.
Improving operations and system control
New Building Automation Systems (BAS) replaced the non-
communicating pneumatic controls and legacy systems. The
University uses the BAS to access HVAC and lighting systems
for scheduling, occupied/unoccupied settings, and night
setback of cooling and heating setpoints. With an easy to
operate, fully editable user interface set-up, building operators
use the Trane chiller plant controls to start and stop the
chillers and pumps based on system load; implement chiller,
pump, and cooling tower sequencing and energy optimization
routines; and obtain status reports of critical operating data.
Managing space and time constraints
With the energy retrofit taking place simultaneously with a
major expansion and renovation project, daily coordination
and intensive communication were required. Trane worked
closely with facility managers to work within the space and
time constraints, completing the work with minimal disruption
to daily student activities and special events. Lighting retrofits
in the ballroom were scheduled two months out awaiting
an open date, a temporary air-cooled rental chiller provided
cooling capacity during the chiller plant construction, and
deliveries were planned to ensure loading dock availability for
the bookstore, hotel and food service.
ResultsThe University of Florida and Trane implemented energy
savings performance contracting upgrades at the J. Wayne
Reitz Union, resulting in increased capacity and a project
expected to exceed guaranteed savings. The upgrades are
projected to result in an annual savings of 3,278,505 kWh
of electricity and 13,597 therms of natural gas, annual
energy use and rate change savings of $414,562, and annual
operational savings of $121,095. The University also received
an additional $90,549 under an energy efficiency structure.
“This project made it possible for us to replace infrastructure
without the financial burden of having to find new funds, and
at the same time significantly reduced energy consumption,"
said Eddie Daniels, Executive Director, J. Wayne Reitz Union.
"We are here to provide educational opportunities for students,
and every upgrade and improvement enhances our ability to
do that.”
The University of Florida and Trane were honored by the Urban Green Council in New York City with an EBie Award for the greatest dollar savings in building energy use.
©2017 Ingersoll Rand CASE-SLX451-EN January 05, 2017