Glendale Community College – Sudatta Ray – 2013

Goals

Sudatta Ray explored possible energy saving measures as an EDF Climate Corps fellow at the Glendale Community College (GCC).

Solutions

Ray developed three recommendations to increase the efficient use of the campus HVAC system: change the HVAC settings to 90°F in the summer and 55°F in the winter for all unoccupied buildings over the weekends; consolidate building usage to increase the number of unoccupied buildings over the weekends; and increase the thermostatic range to 75°F with a 3°F occupied bias.

Potential Impact

All of the projects, if fully implemented, could save GCC approximately $220,000 – $355,000 per year with zero capital investment. In addition to the financial savings, the recommendations could prevent GCC from emitting approximately 2,000 metric tons of carbon annually. Finally, these recommendations could help move GCC toward achieving its signed commitment with the American College and University Presidential Climate Commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2025.