Energy use assessment of educational buildings: Toward a campus-wide sustainable energy policy

The purpose of this article is to assess the viability of blanket sustainability policies, such as Building Rating Systems in achieving energy efficiency in university campus buildings. We analyzed the energy consumption trends of 10 LEED-certified buildings and 14 non-LEED certified buildings at a major university in the US. Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of the LEED buildings was significantly higher (EUILEED= 331.20 kBtu/sf/yr) than non-LEED buildings (EUInon-LEED=222.70 kBtu/sf/yr); however, the median EUI values were comparable (EUILEED= 172.64 and EUInon-LEED= 178.16). Because the distributions of EUI values were non-symmetrical in this dataset, both measures can be used for energy comparisons—this was also evident when EUI computations exclude outliers, EUILEED=171.82 and EUInon-LEED=195.41. Additional analyses were conducted to further explore the impact of LEED certification on university campus buildings energy performance. No statistically significant differences were observed between certified and non-certified buildings through a range of robust comparison criteria. These findings were then leveraged to devise strategies to achieve sustainable energy policies for university campus buildings and to identify potential issues with portfolio level building energy performance comparisons.

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, 1966

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, 1966. Looking diagonally to the northeast. Corner of North Glassell Street and Palm Avenue in lower middle, with the five original buildings just beyond. The old gymnasium is by the oval playing field and stadium. Photographed by Rene Laursen, 702 N. Grand, Santa Ana, California [No. 1499#1].

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, 1973

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, February 23, 1973. Looking north; athletic field and stadium in center. Photographed by "Aerial Eye Inc. - Custom Aerial Photography - 1330 Bristol S. E. #103 - Santa Ana, California 92707." [#9]

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, 1973

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, February 23, 1973. North at left; athletic field and stadium in center. Photographed by "Aerial Eye Inc. - Custom Aerial Photography - 13

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, 1973

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, January, 1973. North at left; athletic field and stadium in center. Photographed by "Aerial Eye Inc. - Custom Aerial Photography - 1330 Palisades #92 - Santa Ana, California 92707." [#1]

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California. Looking northwest; the Moulton Fine Arts complex is at lower right. After 1978.

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California

Color postcard featuring an aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, ca. 1995. Looking north. On message side: "Produced by Wayne Salvatti/Photografx; Copyright Photografx"

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California

Aerial view of the Chapman College campus, Orange, California, looking east. Memorial Hall is in the center, facing lawn and North Glassell Street.

Digging Beckman Hall foundation, Chapman University, Orange, California

Digging the foundation for the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Business and Technology Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California, ca. 1997. Turner Construction, contractor.

Digging the foundation for Beckman Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Digging the foundation for the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Business and Technology Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California, ca. 1997. Turner Construction, contractor.

Bertea Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Bertea Hall, music department building at Chapman University, Orange, California. Constructed in 1975 by Chapman College.

Hashinger Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Hashinger Hall, Chapman University, 346 N. Center Street, Orange, California. The late Dr. Edward H. Hashinger, former trustee and past chairman of the board is the man whose name has graced the walls of this building since 1969. The Hashinger Science Center (3 floors, 65,364 sq.ft.) houses all science departments including biology, natural and applied sciences, environmental and chemical sciences, food science and nutrition, kinesiology and physical therapy.

Groundbreaking for Hashinger Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Groundbreaking for Hashinger Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California. Art Flint, geologist and science department chairman is at the far right, with President John Davis next to him. The late Dr. Edward H. Hashinger, former trustee and past chairman of the board is the man whose name has graced the walls of this building since 1969. The Hashinger Science Center (3 floors, 65,364 sq.ft.) houses all science departments including biology, natural and applied sciences, environmental and chemical sciences, food science and nutrition, kinesiology and physical therapy.

Hashinger Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Hashinger Hall, Chapman University, 346 N. Center Street, Orange, California. The late Dr. Edward H. Hashinger, former trustee and past chairman of the board is the man whose name has graced the walls of this building since 1969. The Hashinger Science Center (3 floors, 65,364 sq.ft.) houses all science departments including biology, natural and applied sciences, environmental and chemical sciences, food science and nutrition, kinesiology and physical therapy.

Hashinger Hall, Chapman University, Orange, California

Hashinger Hall, Chapman University, 346 N. Center Street, Orange, California. The late Dr. Edward H. Hashinger, former trustee and past chairman of the board is the man whose name has graced the walls of this building since 1969. The Hashinger Science Center (3 floors, 65,364 sq.ft.) houses all science departments including biology, natural and applied sciences, environmental and chemical sciences, food science and nutrition, kinesiology and physical therapy.