Texas Tech University

PROGRESS REPORT

In fiscal 2025, Texas Tech University (TTU or University) consumed 147.84 kbtu/ft², an 8.3% decrease from the previous year and below the goal of ≤156.12 kbtu/ft². Key factors contributing to the reduction in Energy Use Index (EUI) include:

1. Degree days decreased by 8.6% resulting in an EUI reduction of 3.01 kbtu/ft² (cumulative sum analysis).
2. Total electric consumption decreased by less than 1%.
3. Campus facilities natural gas consumption increased by 20% due to increase in activities in remote research and auxiliary facilities, increasing the EUI by 2.24 kbtu/ft². However, natural gas consumption at the Central Plant decreased by 8.3% leading to a EUI reduction of 6.82 kbtu/ft².
4. To take advantage of stable electric rates, steam chiller use was decreased 9.9% while the usage of electric chiller operations increased by 60%, leading to EUI reduction of 1.84 kbtu/ft².
5. Chilled water efficiency: While tonnage of the chilled water system decreased by 3.7%, and water consumption increased by 9.4% with decrease in delta T of 21%, the overall EUI decreased by 3.4 kbtu/ft²
6. Freeze Protection Program: The University implemented a freeze protection program to safeguard coils and pipes connecting air handler units (AHUs) and pumps during freezing weather conditions when the outdoor air temperatures drop below 35°F. While this program minimizes the potential risk to utilities infrastructure, it increased the EUI by 1.99 kbtu/ft².

Major Energy and Saving Projects

Project	Results
Central Plant Water Side Economizer	2 million-plus tons free cooling (5.3% of total); $56,208 cost avoidance
Central Plant Back Pressure Turbine	Supplied 28% of plant electricity; $546,655 saved
Carpenter Wells Hall chilled water valve upgrade	$94,000 chilled water cost avoidance
Complex Dining Facility chilled water pump variable frequency drive replacement	$7,700 cost avoidance
Wall Gates Hall actuator replacement	$6,600 chilled water cost avoidance
Humanities AHU variable frequency drive replacement	$4,700 cost avoidance
Doak Hall and Wall Gates Hall current transformers replacement	$5,280 cost avoidance
Coleman Hall chilled water valve actuators replacement	$21,000 chilled water cost avoidance
Condensate return repairs (Stangel Murdough Hall, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Student Union, and Biology)	$151,000 cost avoidance
Air handler schedule corrections (Art, Architecture, Rawls College of Business Administration, etc.)	$162,000 cost avoidance
Campus heating water system audit and reset	$16,000 heating season cost avoidance
Burkhart Center Christmas break schedule adjustment	$200 cost avoidance
Administration AHU-7 sensor replacement	$1,180 cost avoidance
Science, Agriculture Science, and Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute AHU hour reductions	$19,000 cost avoidance
Student Union fan current transformer replacement	$344 cost avoidance
Gordon Hall heating water pump variable frequency drive replacement	$730 cost avoidance
Chemistry AHU-10 controls replacement	$457 cost avoidance
Parking lots R-4 and R-17 LED upgrades	$100 cost avoidance
Chemistry AHU (left in override from previous work)	$425 cost avoidance
Central Plant AHU-1 steam trap and check valve operational adjustments	$500 cost avoidance
Art 3D Static pressure sensor replacement	$1,300 cost avoidance

In fiscal 2025, the goal was to identify $750,000 in potential cost avoidances. The University met and exceeded this goal, with $1.2 million in potential savings identified. Operations invested $100,000 across multiple projects, achieving $492,000 in verified cost avoidances for the year.

HVAC Controls and Maintenance

Repairs and Replacements

1. Rewired dehumidifier controls (Southwest Collections), fixed AHU-6 scheduling (Texas Tech Plaza), installed mixed air temperature sensor (Mathematical Sciences AHU-1) and replaced step-down transformer (Chemistry AHU-8).
2. Reset stuck cold deck valve (Drane Hall), rebounded outside air temperature points (Burkhart Center AHUs) and adjusted variable frequency drive configuration (Terry Fuller Petroleum Engineering AHU-1).
3. Fixed continuous pump ramping (Law Lanier), reprogrammed nuisance alarm (Mechanical Engineering South) and reset manual valves (Art 3D).
4. Calibrated differential pressure sensor (Student Enrichment Center), replaced actuator (Central Plant AHU-1) and installed new control engines (Reese 555 and Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures).
5. Cleaned chilled water coil (Central Plant AHU-2; differential pressure increased 3 psi) and adjusted summer AHU start times (demand vs. comfort analysis).
6. Engaged dehumidification logic (Museum AHU-12), opened closed valve (Bledsoe AHU 4), adjusted setpoints (Student Wellness) and synced time clock (Horn/Knapp).
7. Fixed binding (Hulen Hall AHU-5), replaced electronic to pneumatic control device (Student Union pump) and replaced CGM controller (Hulen Hall).
8. Repaired freeze stat bypass and valves (Jones West Kitchen AHUs), corrected reset schedules (Chitwood Hall) and fixed OAT lockout logic (Marsha Sharp Center).
9. Adjusted pressure reducing valve (Complex Dining Facility), mapped outside air temperature sensor (Biology AHU#1-2000) and added pump interlock (Student Rec Center).

Condensate System Improvements

1. Audited campus condensate receivers; submitted work orders for drain diversions.
2. Repaired condensate returns: Experimental Science II, Law, Student Union, Marsha Sharp Center, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, and Doak Tunnel.

Pilot and Efficiency Projects

1. Genesis Air CenterPoint Panels (Child Development Research Center): eliminated volatile organic compounds/microorganisms; evaluating reduced outdoor air use.
2. Secured steam to campus AHUs (Summer 2025) to eliminate simultaneous heating/cooling.
3. Submitted 110 work orders for discrepant AHU operations, faulty equipment and chilled water return setpoints.

Ongoing Control Upgrades (fiscals 2025-26)

1. Mathematical Sciences, Animal Food Science, Music, Psychology.
2. Assisted Housing with steam/condensate prioritization (e.g., valves, tube bundles).

Audits and Commissioning

Audits Completed

1. 26 HVAC audits: Museum, Student Union, Law, Law Lanier, West Hall, Child Development Research Center, Biology, Maddox Engineering, Ranching Heritage, Media and Communication, Mathematical Sciences, Animal and Food Sciences, Murray Hall, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering North, Mechanical Engineering South, Wall Gates Hall, Hulen Clements Hall, Science, Rawls College of Business Administration, West Village Hall, Creative Movement, Humanities, Education, and Agricultural Science Research Greenhouse.
2. 20 alarm/trend audits: Animal Food Science, Agriculture Pavilion, Burkhart Center, Child Development Research Center, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Education, Humanities, Industrial Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Law, Law Lanier, Mathematical Sciences, Museum, Psychology, Innovation HUB, Student Union, Terry Fuller Petroleum Engineering, Computer Center, Administration, Mechanical Engineering South, and Murray Hall.
3. Nine interior lighting audits: Complex Dining Facility, Mathematical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Annex, Media and Communication, Academic Sciences, and Experimental Science II.
4. Weekly exterior lighting audits (Main Campus) which led to corrections by Operations and larger projects planned for fiscal 2026.
5. Steam/heating water lockout audit (Fall 2025) which led to verified compliance with campus standards.

Commissioning

1. New controls/equipment: Student Rec Center (pump), Mathematical Sciences, Computer Center (generator), Child Development Research Center, Terry Fuller Petroleum Engineering, Plant Genome, Coleman Hall, Wall Gates Hall, Talkington Hall, Campus Metasys User Interface graphics, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute Lab 205, Mechanical Engineering South, Weeks Hall, Carpenter Wells Hall, and Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures.

Stakeholder Engagement

1. Monthly energy reviews with University Student Housing (trends plus equipment discrepancies).
2. Quarterly reviews with Athletics, Student Union, Student Rec Center and United Supermarket Arena leadership.
3. 34 HVAC work orders generated for Athletic Facilities, United Supermarket Arena, Innovation Hub, Student Wellness and Student Rec Center.
4. Assisted Engineering Services with campus exterior lighting LED upgrade scope.

GOALS

Through identification of energy savings, Texas Tech University will look to measure and analyze campus energy consumption and formulate strategies to create resource abundance.

STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS

Texas Tech University aims to identify energy projects worth an estimated $750,000 in cost avoidance and implement 50% of projects identified in fiscal 2026. Measures will include:

1. Pilot occupancy sensors with lighting/HVAC controls for setback modes.
2. Add fault detection to Metasys for Smart Campus energy management.
3. Utilize Water Side Economizer when outdoor conditions allow.
4. Repair steam/condensate leaks to improve heating efficiency.
5. Reduce chilled water losses.
6. Develop three-year HVAC, lighting, controls upgrade plan.
7. Monthly review equipment down and override reports; prioritize high-energy repairs.
8. Create Sustainability Master Plan.
9. Revive Energy Management Committee with campus partners.
10. Use Utilivisor dashboards/alarms for persistent commissioning.
11. Audit all priority facilities (models and assessments).
12. Identify HVAC exceptions for supplemental units.
13. Update controls/HVAC standards with Engineering and Construction.
14. Ensure new meters are integrated into the building automation system.
15. Conduct 27 building audits: update Energy Profiles.
16. Perform campus steam audits for defective valves/actuators.
17. Recommission chilled water valves for greater than 16°F delta T.
18. Audit pumps and domestic hot water for efficiency/redundancy.
19. Issue monthly/quarterly energy reports for Auxiliaries.
20. Set building automation systems' alarm parameters and priorities.
21. Support student sustainability groups.

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

The Energy Management department, in alignment with Texas Tech University’s Smart Campus initiative and AAU aspirations, will implement utility cost reduction measures through a phased, proactive approach leveraging persistent commissioning, building automation systems (BAS), AI-driven analytics, and a new project/service management platform. The timeline prioritizes high-impact research and laboratory facilities to support expanded research-intensive operations.

Phase	Activities	Target Outcomes
Phase 1: Audit and Planning	Conduct comprehensive HVAC, controls, lighting and indoor air quality audits across 27 priority buildings. Identify optimization opportunities in BAS and integrate with new project management platform. Collaborate with campus departments to prioritize research-critical facilities.	Audit reports with $750,000 or more in identified cost avoidance opportunities. Baseline energy performance metrics established for 20% savings target in key facilities.
Phase 2: Implementation and Optimization	Upgrade HVAC controls, lighting systems and indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors in top-priority buildings. Deploy artificial intelligence (AI)/analytics for real-time monitoring and automated adjustments via persistent commissioning. Transition from reactive to proactive maintenance model.	Installation of measures in 50% or more of audited buildings. Initial 10%-15% energy reduction in pilot facilities; enhanced reliability and occupant comfort.

Strategy for Monitoring Utility Savings

Savings from installed measures will be monitored continuously through a data-driven, persistent commissioning framework to ensure long-term performance and alignment with AAU and research expansion goals:

1. Real-Time Analytics Integration: Utilize enhanced BAS and AI tools to track energy consumption, system efficiency and cost metrics in real time across audited facilities. Dashboards will flag deviations from baselines for immediate optimization.
2. Performance Indicators and Reporting: Establish key metrics (e.g., kWh/sq ft, cost per occupant, IAQ levels) tied to the strategic plan. Monthly reports will quantify savings against the $750,000 avoidance target and 20% reduction goal, with annual audits verifying results.
3. Proactive Verification: Leverage the new project management platform for ongoing preventive maintenance and automated alerts.
4. Stakeholder Collaboration: Cross-departmental reviews will ensure savings support research reliability, with adjustments prioritized for high-impact labs.

This schedule and monitoring strategy positions Operations for measurable efficiency gains, directly contributing to Texas Tech’s sustainability, academic excellence, and AAU objectives.

AGENCY FINANCE STRATEGY

Each year, deferred maintenance and utility funds are budgeted to the extent possible. The audits completed this fiscal year are vital to updating the deferred maintenance list.

EMPLOYEE AWARENESS PLAN

Texas Tech University employs a multifaceted approach to raise employee awareness of utility cost reduction measures:

1. Campus Media and Digital Platforms: The TTU Energy Management webpage and other campus media outlets (e.g., newsletters, emails) disseminate updates on energy-saving initiatives, realized cost avoidances and ongoing projects.
2. Utilivisor Software: Real-time energy consumption data for campus buildings is displayed via Utilivisor, providing transparent visibility into usage trends without mandating action.
3. Sustainability Office Newsletter: Energy efficiency improvements, sustainability resources and program highlights are shared campus-wide to inform and inspire the community.
4. Monthly Energy Committee Meetings: The Energy Management department convenes Operations Division stakeholders to collaboratively identify energy-saving opportunities, review cost avoidance data and plan implementation. These discussions form the core of Texas Tech’s Energy Management program.
5. Monthly Auxiliary Customer Meetings: Energy Management meets with stakeholders in Auxiliaries to analyze persistent commissioning issues, consumption patterns and cost trends, directly supporting the identification and execution of targeted energy-saving projects.
6. Employee Ambassador Program: The Sustainability Office intends to launch a peer-led initiative to promote active participation in campaigns such as "Lights Out" and the Green Office Program, encouraging employees to adopt sustainable practices in their daily routines.
7. Red Raider Trader Event: In partnership with Procurement Services, an annual reuse event allows faculty, staff and students to drop off, pick up or swap surplus items, directly reducing waste and utility-related costs through resource redistribution.
8. Student Organization Partnerships: The Sustainability Office collaborates with groups like the Climate Center and Raider Recycling to host events and programs that engage employees in hands-on sustainability activities.

This integrated plan ensures broad awareness while empowering employees to contribute to utility cost reduction through informed action and collaboration.