An energy retrofit of science facilities at the University of Illinois at Chicago is expected to reduce energy consumption by at least 30 percent and save $18 million a year.
The university says the upgrades throughout the Science and Engineering Laboratories Complex will affect four laboratory buildings and a supporting office building—more than 1.2 million square feet of space.
The two-year construction project will include new and recommissioned air-handling units, HVAC control systems and equipment, chilled beam, high-performance fume hoods, lighting retrofits, weatherization of the building envelope, and energy-recovery systems. The university says the improvements will help it meet its goal of reducing carbon emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050.
The expected energy reduction of 9,219 metric tons of carbon dioxide is equivalent to taking 1,921 cars off the road or planting 71 acres of trees. The 81 million kilowatt-hours of electricity to be saved is enough to power about 2,500 homes.
