Campus Renewal Partnership helps McMaster go green
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/JHE edited.jpg” caption=”The John Hodgins Engineering Building is one of many buildings on campus that have been renovated by the Campus Renewal Partnership. Photo by Christine MacLean.”]You may have noticed changes being made over the past year to buildings on campus. Some improvements are obvious, such as new windows and lighting; other changes are subtler, such as fixing the heating and air conditioning systems.
All of these building improvements are part of a campus wide initiative to keep energy costs low and to ensure the sustainability of the campus. The Campus Renewal Partnership (CRP) kick started in 2003 when McMaster joined forces with Ameresco Canada Inc. to make the campus's infrastructure more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Some 25 buildings on campus have already been renewed, or are slated for retrofits by the CRP.
“Approximately one-third of the focus is on energy conservation measures, and the remaining two-thirds on capital renewal,” says Tony Cupido, Director of the Physical Plant. The renewal plan is saving McMaster $1.5 million on utility costs annually. In 2005, the campus reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 11,252 tonnes, which is the equivalent of taking 1,354 cars off the road.
In keeping with the proposed renewal and conservation measures, the campus needed to overhaul the lighting system, which in many facilities was 50 to 60 years old. The new fluorescent tubes not only brightened the buildings, but also help the university save money. They require less maintenance, last longer, and use less electricity. In addition, the upgraded equipment is free of harmful PCBs, mercury and banned gases, making it much safer and better for the environment.
Another area that needed new components and, in some cases, complete retrofits was the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to improve energy efficiency and ensure the comfort of students, faculty and staff.
The John Hodgins Engineering Building was one of the older buildings requiring an overhaul. Improvements were made to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Also, the building received new tinted windows and lighting.
Visible improvements were made to the A.N. Bourns Science Building, bringing better air quality and circulation to the building. A new ventilation system replaced the old system that was causing excessive temperature and humidity fluctuations in the labs, causing windows to fog and affecting the functioning of lab equipment. Installation of the new ventilation system, new windows, and motion sensors are intended to reduce energy consumption and provide comfortable conditions for the building's occupants.
The CRP continues to improve the quality of campus buildings for the McMaster community, and is striving to find ways to:
“McMaster University endeavors to incorporate sustainable developments into all stages of planning, design and decision making and is conscious of its impact on the environment,” says President Peter George. “The Campus Renewal Partnership program is helping us achieve a significant infrastructure renewal, as well as enhancing our sustainability across campus.”
