Energy Efficiency Projects
2011 - Current Projects:
Campus
Campus wide energy monitoring control systems. This system gives the college better control of equipment such as heating/cooling. The project is expected to save approx. 330,000 kWh/year and natural gas consumption by 9,000 therms/year.
Dillon Hall
Dillon Hall received new electric vent actuators and system controls for HVAC. The improvements will reduce electrical consumption by approx. 100,000 kWh/year and natural gas consumption by over 15,000 therms/year.
HHPA
HHPA received new electric vent actuators, a variable frequency drives, on motors and fans, and system controls. The upgrades will improve equipment control and reduce energy consumption by approx. 200,000 kWh/year and natural gas consumption by over 34,000 therms/year.
(These 3 projects save the college a combined total of 630,000 kWh/year. That’s equivalent to the average energy consumed by 45 homes in the McMinnville area.)
2009 - 2010 projects:
Central Heating Plant
The Linfield Central Heating Plant has been updated with the addition of electronic controls to existing boilers to better regulate their operation and cycling behavior. Additionally, two variable frequency drives are being added to existing 75 horse power motors to minimize the energy used to pump steam. Together these improvements will reduce electrical consumption by 186,000 kWh/year. This is equivalent to the average energy consumed by 12 homes in the McMinnville area.
Lighting Retrofits
Several lighting retrofits have been made to increase energy efficiency on campus and reduce our energy demand. Light fixtures have been upgraded to include more reflectors, reducing the number of bulbs needed on campus. Linfield has replaced 3000 lower efficiency bulbs with 1980 high efficiency T-8 lights and ballasts. Automatic controls and the addition of 280 occupancy sensors have greatly reduced unnecessary energy use. Combined, these projects are expected to yield a savings of 294,000 kWh annually.
Insulation Upgrades
Upgrades were made to the insulation in the apartments on campus, adding insulation to the floors and ceilings. Some of the apartments were completely uninsulated in these areas. The annual savings from this project is expected to be approx. 236,000 kWh/year. Energy efficient thermal pane windows were added to on campus apartments in the Fall of 2009. This project wills result in energy savings of 98,000 kWh/year.