Pace University: Energy performance

Better Buildings Challenge Partners strive to decrease portfolio-wide source energy use intensity (EUI) and to increase the percent improvement compared to a set baseline. Pace University's portfolio consists of more than 50 buildings and over 2 million square feet of building space on three separate campuses. Pace University has improved energy performance by 22% from a 2016 baseline, making progress towards a goal of 20% by 2023. The University has implemented over 350 projects, aimed at conserving electricity, natural gas, steam or water including more efficient heating and cooling systems, lighting retrofits, automatic temperature control, occupancy sensors, low flow showers, faucets and toilets and a behavior-based energy conservation program. Energy consumption during 2020 and 2021 was significantly lower than a typical year since COVID-19 disruptions resulted in temporary building closures and reduced occupancy for much of the year. However, having a dedicated Energy Conservation Program in place allowed the University to capitalize on this opportunity, while staff focused on critical needs to open up the University in the Fall of 2020. 

Looking at the percent improvement in energy performance across all facilities can provide insight into how an organization is saving energy. Pace University has achieved energy performance improvement of greater than 10% at 7 of its properties. There are 4 properties that have experienced an increase in Source EUI.  These properties have been targeted for future energy efficiency improvements.

Property-level energy performance metrics, including EUI and percent improvement to date, are critical to track progress over time and identify opportunities for additional energy savings. Pace University's portfolio consists of properties with a wide range of baseline EUI values, most of which are from 100 to 250 kBtu/sq. ft. The majority of properties have shown energy improvement since 2016. The properties located near or below the 0% axis may present good opportunities for further savings.