Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

PROGRESS REPORT

1. Construction works for major renovations of Lubbock Preston Smith Library building and Lab Animal Research space are in progress. New direct digital control (DDC) variable volume boxes, LED light fixtures and associated controls are being installed to comply with the state energy code.
2. Four pneumatic controlled air handling units (AHUs) were refurbished with new DDCs), fan wall systems, steam heating and higher-efficiency cooling coils with pressure independent control valves. Improved equipment energy efficiency and performance has been achieved.
3. Mechanical and electrical equipment upgrade for the Dallas Health Science Center (HSC) building has been completed. New air handling units with DDC variable volume boxes were installed to replace equipment at the end of expected service life, meet USEPA requirements and improve building performance.
4. HSC Facilities completed a project to replace more than 20 variable air volume (VAV) boxes with new boxes using DDCs in the HSC building at Lubbock location.
5. Two new air-cooled, variable speed screw chillers with zero ozone depletion potential refrigerant were installed in the Amarillo campus. The new chillers exceed state energy code performance requirements.
6. Two air handling units in Odessa were replaced and consolidated with one new higher-efficiency unit, which is expected to reduce energy consumption.
7. We have upgraded more than 700 light fixtures with LED fixtures in the HSC buildings located in various campuses.
8. Building automation control software, associated system components and sequence of operations are continuously being upgraded to reduce energy and improve performance.
9. We are in the process of installing 35 touchless, low flow water faucets with built-in temperature control valves. This project is expected to be completed in September 2025.
10. Six dry type transformers are being replaced to improve efficiency and reliability.
11. Reroofing with thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) material has been completed where most required. The TPO roof is expected to save energy.
12. Several pieces of electrical equipment were upgraded to improve reliability and availability.

GOALS

From fiscal 2021, we are reporting central plant utilities in terms of electricity and natural gas usage instead of thermal utilities. This is to remain consistent with reporting requirement below. Hence the benchmark year in the goals section below has been changed to fiscal 2021.

STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS

1. Refurbish or replace pneumatically controlled air handling units (AHUs) with direct digital controls, multiple fan system, premium efficiency motors, pressure independent flow control valves, steam heating, new cooling and heating coils with higher fins/inch etc. This is mainly for the AHUs which exceeded expected service life.
2. Replace or retrofit older pneumatic, constant or variable air volume boxes with direct digital controls (DDCs) for accurate and precise control of space temperature. The advantages of DDCs are flexible controls, PID algorithm, no controller drift, no recalibration and cost neutrality based on life-cycle cost analysis.
3. Replace chillers at the end of their service life with new chillers which exceed the energy code performance requirements, and will operate with zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. Provides significant energy and maintenance cost savings.
4. Installation of condensing boilers for the new buildings, and for replacement of existing boilers at the end of their expected service life. Condensing boilers are up to 96% efficient with turndown to 10%, corrosion resistant, and can be operated at a lower inlet water temperature with a higher efficiency as compared with the noncondensing boilers.
5. Installation of LED troffers/ or tubes, LED wallpacks, LED downlights and associated controls. As an example, replacement of existing fluorescent lamps and ballasts with LED fixtures in indoor locations has payback of up to seven years through energy and maintenance savings.
6. Explore installation of variable flow exhaust systems to achieve demand control ventilation in research laboratories. This approach would maintain acceptable air flow and reduce energy.
7. Replace older electrical equipment, including motors and transformers. Payback period is less than five years with higher efficiency.
8. Continue to identify and replace damaged, missing or inadequate insulation.
9. Energy assessment, Audit, and Retro-commissioning of existing facilities to ensure HVAC systems are fully functional, using accurate sensors, and optimal control algorithms.
10. Upgrade existing energy management control systems and components. Monitor HVAC systems for fault detection and diagnosis (FDD).
11. Installation of high performance glazing and reflective roofing to prevent energy waste.
12. Installation of pressure independent (PI) control valves for optimal chilled water flow control to the air handling units. TTUHSC Facilities has observed that these valves provide higher chilled water temperature difference and lower flow through the cooling coils.
13. Install hands-free, low flow fixtures for water closets, sinks and urinals.
14. Installation of occupancy sensors to control lighting for all spaces in the HSC buildings.
15. Evaluate renewable energy options to generate power or thermal utilities.

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

1. Refurbish three air handling units with DDCs, new cooling coils with pressure independent flow control valves, and fan wall system in the Lubbock and Amarillo campus. (Fiscal 2026)
2. Install new chillers with zero ODP and lower GWP refrigerants. Plan is in motion to install two chillers in the Amarillo campus and one chiller in the Abilene campus. (Fiscal 2026)
3. Replace computer room air units in various campuses. (Fiscal 2026)
4. Continue to replace or retrofit existing light fixtures with LED fixtures, occupancy sensors and dimming controls. (Fiscal 2026)
5. Replace low performing glazing with high performing glazing with lower conductance and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) values. Plan is in motion to replace glazing in the Lubbock campus. (Fiscal 2026-27)
6. Reroofing with TPO or similar material in multiple buildings located in various locations.
7. The control systems and components are in the plan to be upgraded on a continuous basis to improve operational efficiencies.
8. Continue to replace or retrofit pneumatically controlled terminal boxes with DDC VAV boxes. (Fiscal 2026)
9. Install hands-free, low flow fixtures for water closets, sinks and urinals in public toilets. (Fiscal 2025-26)
10. There is a plan to replace few transformers and motors at various locations. (Fiscal 2026)

AGENCY FINANCE STRATEGY

1. Internal Funding, including reinvestment of utility cost savings
2. Rebates from Utility Providers
3. LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program from SECO (if needed)
4. Other Private Loan Program (if needed)

EMPLOYEE AWARENESS PLAN

Facilities Energy Management is continuously on the lookout for means to communicate energy conservation practices to the personnel, students and patients who occupy the facilities. Avenues available are the Institutional and Facilities websites, memorandums, education at new hire orientations, stickers, mail services and communication through facilities department staff.

The key elements of TTUHSC's Employee Awareness Plan are to prevent waste and ensure conservation of resources. Examples of initiatives taken, are listed below.

1. Require all personnel to turn off lights, computers, printers and any other energy-consuming equipment when not in use.
2. Strongly discourage idle classrooms from being used as study halls. The library or small study rooms are better alternatives.
3. Allow vent hoods to be operated only when necessary.
4. Strongly discourage the use of comfort-heating appliances to supplement the building heating system.
5. Instruct custodians to turn off lights in hallways and offices after cleaning.
6. Reduce the operating hours for air handlers and other mechanical systems.
7. Reduce the temperature of hot water used for domestic purposes to 125°F.
8. Consolidate laboratory functions and use of fume hoods.
9. Ensure Venetian blinds and shades are fully extended and closed as appropriate to reduce heating and cooling losses.
10. Continuous monitoring and control of air handling unit operations, including airside economizer, unoccupied setup/setback schedules, discharge air reset schedules, chiller performance, sensor accuracy, chilled water and heating water system performance, etc.
11. Identify equipment that can be shut off during nights and weekends for all facilities.
12. Provide adequate deadbands between space air cooling and heating setpoints to reduce how often terminal boxes change operation modes and, where multiple boxes serve a space, minimize simultaneous heating and cooling.
13. Replace filters on air handling units frequently.
14. Periodically check and calibrate temperature and humidity sensors to maintain accuracy.
15. Program control system for minimum air flow to ensure adequate ventilation air to the space.
16. Check steam traps and steam being lost through roof vents.
17. Check ducts and pipes for missing or damaged insulation.
18. Test and Balance (TAB) both the airside and waterside of the HVAC system.
19. Perform regular preventive maintenance on all major and high energy use equipment.