Energy Retrofits and Projects

An energy retrofit is a renovation or upgrading of an existing building energy system that results in reduced utility costs for that building. The campus retrofits centre around upgrading outdated or energy-inefficient technologies like lighting and heating/cooling systems to reduce wasted energy and water. Preventing the overuse or loss of conditioned air (heated, cooled or moisture adjusted) has one of the greatest positive impacts in achieving the university's energy reduction targets.

Commitment to conservation

Working together as a community and communicating with decision-makers can make a big difference in enacting change and promoting large-scale energy conservation. Students at the University of Guelph felt so strongly about the necessity for energy conservation that they voted to enter a funding partnership with the university administration. Each undergradate student pays $10 a semester, and graduates $6.75 a semester, over the next several years. Each dollar paid by students is matched one-to-one by the university and directed solely at energy conservation projects. A multi-stakeholder committee of students, faculty and staff called the Energy Conservation Working Group (ECWG) meets monthly to discuss projects and opportunities for using the joint energy conservation funding.

The university is strongly committed to reducing its energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency. As well as being a stakeholder in the city-wide Community Energy Plan, the university has formed its own Community Energy Plan as a management and planning tool for guiding energy retrofits.