Our focus on energy includes strategies to reduce our peak load, increase our energy efficiency and minimize our energy consumption.
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Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems affect all areas of Hunter’s campus buildings. Continual upgrades and renovations to the HVAC system such as timers on AC units, digital air controls, retrofitted steam traps and modernized boilers improve the energy efficiency of the college’s operations, as well as reduce the campus’ energy consumption.
With support from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), Hunter has upgraded to high-efficiency air compressors to supply the main campus with heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The energy used to power these compressors is substantially reduced in comparison to the compressors formerly in place.
Hunter participates in utility peak load management programs to reduce its share of the burden on New York’s power grid during extremely hot weather. On a few of the very hottest days, the college reduces capacity and powers down facilities equipment and HVAC operations that it would normally keep running.
Select escalators and elevators are powered down during Hunter’s off-peak season and on evenings and weekends to conserve energy when Hunter’s main campus is less heavily occupied.
Ninety percent of all rooms on Hunter’s campuses are equipped with occupancy sensors to control the overhead lighting. If a sensor does not detect motion inside a room for 15 continuous minutes, the lights in the room automatically shut off.
Our expectations to go further and greener include these energy goals from our Sustainability Plan (PDF):
Since 2011, Hunter has achieved nearly an 18% peak reduction in the college’s energy use intensity (EUI). With this encouraging progress, Hunter has established a strong pace towards accomplishing the goals of the expanded BuildSmart 2025 program to achieve 35% reduction in total energy use.
The passage of Local Law 97 put out the challenge to buildings to achieve a 40 percent reduction in aggregate greenhouse gas emissions by calendar year 2030. Hunter aligned ourselves with the goals set by Local Law 97 and as a testament to our focus toward energy efficiency and lowering consumption, Hunter has met (and exceeded) our GHG emissions target 10 years ahead of schedule! As of December 2021 the College has since reduced our emissions by 48%.