The document summarizes an energy audit of Lowell Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus. The audit team identified 5 potential energy efficiency measures (EEMs) that could save energy and money. EEMs 2 through 4 have simple paybacks of under 4 years by adding time clocks to dining room lights, reducing redundant lobby lighting, and installing VFDs for heating and cooling pumps. Additional long-payback EEMs like replacing old windows and improving outside air controls were also mentioned. The audit found the building's energy use intensity was high compared to averages, indicating many efficiency opportunities.

1. UW- Energy Audit Class
Energy Efficiency Measures (EEM)
for Lowell Hall
Sarah Maston, Ryan Meyers, Kevin Preuss & Paul White

2. Executive Summary
Over the 1st week of August, our team provided a Level 2 Energy Audit of
the Lowell Hall Building on the University of Wisconsin’s Madison Campus.
We looked for Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) for the building envelope,
lighting, and HVAC systems. After some quick calculations, we found that:
EUI = 119.2 kBtu/SF/yr (EnergyStar National Median EUI = 74)
ECI = $1.66/SF/yr
…which indicates a myriad of opportunities for improvement. We have
included 5 EEMs for consideration. The first EEM for the building envelope,
has a lengthy payback, but may want to be considered for other reasons.
EEMs 2-4 have simple paybacks of under 4 years. EEM-5 addresses a code
violation. We also listed other EEMs for consideration.

3. Energy End Use Pie Charts (Gas & Electric)

4. Annual Energy Use
Building EUI:
119.2 kBtu/SF/yr
Building ECI:
$1.66/SF/yr

5. Monthly Energy Use

6. EEM-1: Replace Inefficient Windows
• By reviewing the background information on Lowell Hall, that was
provided, we determined that some of the windows were less
efficient than others.
• We originally were going to propose replacing the 7700 SF of the old
glass windows with high-performance glass, but the payback was too
large.
kBTU Savings Cost Savings
(Annual)
Cost to Install
Windows
Simple
Payback
583,552 $3282 $80.75/ SF 191 years

7. EEM-2: Add Time Clock to Dining Rm Lights
• During our building walkthrough, we noted that the cove lighting in
the Dining Room stayed on 24/7, which is very inefficient.
• We propose adding two time clocks to the lighting circuits for the
cove lighting in the Dining Room. This time clock will turn the lights
off over night, when no one is using the space.
kWh Savings Cost Savings
(Annual)
Cost to Install Time
Clocks
Simple
Payback
2135 kWh $278 $910 39 months

8. EEM-3: Reduce Redundant Lobby Lighting
• During our building walkthrough, we thought that the lobby lighting
was excessive.
• We recommend reducing the cove lighting by ½ and wiring the
ballasts in tandem.
kWh Savings Cost Savings
(Annual)
Cost to Remove Lights/
Rewire Ballasts
Simple
Payback
8970 kWh $493 $904 1.83 years

9. EEM-4: VFDs for CHW & HW Pumps
• During our walk-through, we noted that the primary CHW pump and the duty/
standby HW pumps had their balancing valves throttled down to 60% open.
• The VFDs for these pumps were operating in hand, at 100%. This is extremely
inefficient, and there was no indication as to why this was done.
• We recommend opening the balancing valves to 100% open and then adjusting
the pump speed down until the control valves in the system at the furthest point
from the pumps just start to close down.
Estimated CHW Pump
Power Savings
Savings Cost Savings
(Annual)
Cost to Adjust
System
Simple
Payback
3 HP 6,445 kWh $354 $300 10 months
Estimated HW Pump
Power Savings
Savings Cost Savings
(Annual)
Cost to Adjust
System
Simple
Payback
5 HP 32,674 kWh $1797 $300 2 months

10. EEM-5: Add modulation to OA damper (HV-1)
• During our walk-through, we noted that the outside air (OA) damper to HV-1, serving
the conference room did not modulate to bring in OA when the room was occupied.
• The OA damper had been linked with the return air damper with a 2-position switch,
such that the OA damper was either 100% open or 100% closed. The default is 100%
closed, which does not provide the code-required fresh air to the room.
• We recommend adding controls, such that the OA damper can modulate to bring in
OA to meet the code requirements.
Current Difference
with damper open
Savings Cost Savings
(Annual)
Cost to Install
Controls
Simple
Payback
2.3 A 2135 kW $35.11 $300 8.5 years

11. Additional EEMs to be Considered
• The following are other issues that we witnessed in the building. Some
additional research is required to determine costs and paybacks:
• Consider replacing the 2 oversized HW boilers with modular condensing boilers.
• Consider replacing oversized chiller with smaller chiller to reduce cycling.
• Investigate use of check valves on two condenser water pumps that are tied
together, to eliminate risk of recirculating water without cooling.
• If replacing boilers is not possible, investigate installation of controls on both
Kewanee boilers to control boiler temperature based on outside temperature.
• Investigate potential for shutting down chiller pumps PE-3 on inlet side, or P1 on
outlet side, of new chiller. Pumps are rated for 678 gpm. System requires 555
gpm. Pump P1 is connected to VFD, but 40% closed.
• Building automation system is not utilized effectively, nor is it installed completely.
Consider bringing in vendor for training.
• Replace roof section that was not replaced in the last renovation. Many guest rooms
are very hot.

12. Conclusions
There are many opportunities to improve the efficiencies of the
systems in this building, but we have only focused on five key EEMs.
With more research and time, more opportunities can be explored.
Best Wishes!