Water Conservation

Sterilizer Retrofits

A purchase order has been established to begin installation of sterilizer and autoclave retrofit kits that will reduce their water consumption. Additional sterilizer units have been identified for this program since the last CPDT report was distributed. Sterilizers can consume between 0.5 - 2.5 gallons of water per minute. After they are retrofitted with the water saving kits, an estimated annual savings in avoided combined water and sewer costs of $169,000 is anticipated.

Balmer Hall Water Conservation Pilot

Installation of water conserving fixtures has been completed. Most recently, 20 low-flush capacity toilets were installed by Plant Services plumbers. Post-monitoring and data collection will continue throughout the remainder of the year to determine the levels of conservation effectiveness for the various water saving devices.

Low-Flush Capacity Toilets

The replacement of existing standard toilets with new Ultra-Low-Flush (ULF) units is now in a preliminary planning stage. John Leaden has developed a rough list of 129 buildings that are potential sites for toilet replacement along with a list of installation details. There is consensus among the CPDT to hire a consultant to survey all of the potential installation sites for hazardous materials and any unique installation details. One of our primary concerns is building water shutdowns that would be necessary for buildings lacking individual plumbing chase shutoffs and their effect on the efficient timing of installations. One alternative approach under consideration is to model the successful approach used for the lighting retrofit program. A Plumber Lead would be assigned to the project and temporary installers hired to accomplish the work.

The CPDT is considering installing ULF toilets in the highest floor of McMahon Hall as a pilot to determine any potential problems associated with areas where the water pressure is lowest. Tentatively, Padelford Hall and Schmitz Hall would be the first candidates for retrofits. This is because these buildings have water meters that would readily provide water consumption information before and after retrofitting the toilets. In addition, both of these buildings contain process loads which will factor into the measurement process.

I-Wing Vacuum Producers

Rogers Machinery and Smith Services have been awarded contracts to install new screw-type vacuum producers in I-Wing. The cost for the new equipment and labor to install will total $27,380. The total cost for the project which would include Physical Plant coordination and contingencies is expected to not exceed $35,000. Annual combined water and sewer savings will be in the range of $25,000 to $27,000 per year.

McMahon Kitchen Refrigeration Conversion

The McMahon Kitchen refrigeration conversion is underway. It is being installed as a component of the current public works construction contract. The project is estimated at $89,339. The predicted amount of water to be saved as a result of the conversion is 4,079,933 gallons per year. This equates to an annual avoided combined rate saving of $38,352. Assuming a 50% financial rebate from SPU, the simple payback period calculates out to 1.16 years.

BB High-rise Cooling Tower

This project is completed. SPU rebated $72,646 which was 50% of the project cost. An annual savings of $10,000 in avoided combined water and sewer costs is expected.

Water-free Urinals

Three Falcon water-free urinals will be installed in a Lander Hall men’s restroom before the end of October. Water-free urinals can save up to 40,000 gallons of water per year.

Electricity Conservation

Schmitz Hall HVAC (Adjustable Speed Drives)

The installation of adjustable speed drives by Johnson Controls in Schmitz Hall is substantially completed. This project, estimated at $98,000 installed, is anticipated to save 495,500 kWh per year. The anticipated Seattle City Light (SCL) financial incentive is approximately $58,000. Annual avoided electricity costs are estimated to be approximately $20,000.

Delta P Valve Pilot - T-Wing (west)

This is a pilot project to determine the energy saving potential of Delta P, also known as “differential pressure” valves manufactured by Flow Control Industries. The valves will be installed to control chilled water flow from the central plant to one of the chilled water system nodes. The Delta P valves are expected to provide system balance and conserve primary pumping horsepower. When completed the pilot project will position the pre set flow valve wide open and utilize the characteristics of the retrofitted Delta P valves to regulate flow to meet cooling temperature signals from new DDC controllers thereby eliminating wide variations in valve action, providing more efficient control, and allowing other critical nodes to receive additional flow when needed. The cost of the installation is $43,786. The annual kWh savings and SCL incentive amount are to be determined.

Lighting Retrofits/Lighting Reduction

Building lighting retrofits are underway in the Burke Museum. Fluke Hall and Allen Library are scheduled for retrofit and reduction work this winter.

Elevator Solid State Retrofits

Pre-project electrical load consumption monitoring continues for the elevator solid state drive retrofits.

Exit Sign Review

Plant Services Shops are undertaking a survey of building exit signs to determine if there is any further opportunity to retrofit existing exit signs with units that consume less than 1 watt. SCL pays a fixed financial incentive of $30 for each new low wattage fixture installed and $20 for existing signs that are retrofitted.

Art Building Occupancy Sensor

This project is currently in final design. The work is planned to be accomplished by the Plant Services Electric Shop over the course of three class break periods beginning Christmas Break. The Art Building Occupancy Sensor Project is a pilot intended to test more complex occupancy models incorporating technologies such as daylight harvesting. This project will also provide insight into the viability of entering into like future projects with respect to energy savings and investment payback time.

Other Conservation Efforts

Haggett Hall Renovation

CPDT members, John Leaden and JR Fulton participated in a selection committee to interview consulting firms to recommend conservation opportunities for the upcoming Haggett Hall Renovation.