UNCW saving money by saving energy

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — While some costs continue to rise, UNC Wilmington is finding ways to make cuts in a good way by saving money while saving energy.

“When there’s nobody in the building, the equipment shouldn’t be running as hard as it is when there’s people in the building,” said Tim Gasper, an engineer with Brady Energy Services. “So we worked very hard at trying to turn things off or turn them down when nobody’s there.”

And by turning them down, UNCW is turning up the savings.

A deal with Brady Energy Services and Trane Comfort Solutions let the school avoid upfront costs while installing $4.5 million worth of mechanical and electrical upgrades that should save twice that amount. If not, Trane pays the difference. Any costs for the university come from money being saved by the technology.

Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo got to see the new lighting systems and air and water heating and cooling systems for the first time Wednesday. She said it’s a win-win, because the university is becoming more environmentally-friendly and saving money.

“It’s quieter. The lights don’t hum. One isn’t always having to worry about whether there’s enough light or whether the room is too cold or too hot. It’s just a better place to learn and to teach and to work,” DePaolo said.

While there are big benefits on campus, project manager Steve Sharpe said taxpayers get the advantages, too, because the renovations pay for themselves.

“We’re saving energy and reducing the cost of running the university, so in the end, hopefully, it’ll be the state of North Carolina that really saves from this,” Sharpe said.

The updates are expected to save the state nearly $9 million over the next 20 years.