Energy Efficiency
Sustainability at Southern Oregon University
Energy efficiency is about how buildings are designed, the equipment we use, and how we all use energy every day. Upgrades to our equipment such as LED lighting and occupancy controls and upgrading HVAC systems help us to optimize our energy use. We also address energy conservation through the behavior of those who call SOU home through outreach, and education. SOU uses energy more efficiently while creating comfortable spaces for students to live and learn. These efforts help lower costs, reduce emissions, and support our climate goals: cutting Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and reducing energy intensity by 25% by 2032, based on a 2022 baseline.
Boilers
SOU upgraded the mechanical equipment at the Central Plant Building on campus in 2019. SOU has four total boilers that provide the heating and cooling on campus. All four of those boilers were replaced in 2019 by new high efficiency Riello Boilers. In addition to the new boilers, a new control system was installed that allows the boilers to be operated in the most efficient way possible
Water Chillers
The existing 800-ton and 500-ton centrifugal chillers were replaced with two 800-ton, higher-efficiency centrifugal chillers. The roof-mounted, three-cell cooling tower was replaced with a larger-capacity, high-efficiency, two cell cooling towers. One of the two existing condenser water pumps was replaced with a larger capacity pump. In addition, to the water chillers, a new water softener system was installed to help reduce chemical usage.
Direct Digital Control (DDC) System for Campus HVAC
The operation of the HVAC system for each campus building on the University’s direct digital control (DDC) system is scheduled based on the building occupancy information. When a building is not occupied, the temperature controls go into “unoccupied” status, with a lower setback temperature during the heating season and a higher setback temperature during the cooling season. HVAC systems are also upgraded during renovation projects across campus
LED Lighting
LED lighting became the SOU campus standard in 2016 and all new construction and renovation projects since 2016 have incorporated LED lighting. Projects with lighting retrofits throughout the building include the Theatre Building, The Lithia Motors/SRC, Britt Hall, and the Recycling Center. Other renovation projects with partial LED retrofits include the Music Building, Taylor Hall, the Science Building, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and Raider Stadium. SOU has been gradually replacing exterior campus lighting with LED fixtures, and more than half of the campus has been retrofitted with LED since 2016. The Digital Media Center (DMC) had its lighting upgraded to LED lighting in 2024.
SOU uses ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager to track how much energy our buildings use and where we can do better. By updating energy data every month, campus staff can spot trends, identify savings, and make smarter decisions about how buildings operate.
For information and a more detailed look at our specific energy efficiency upgrades in our buildings, please visit our Buildings Page
