Conservation Measures Save CCC $1.7 Million

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:09:25 GMT

Energy conservation measures implemented by staff have saved CCC $1.7 million over the past four years.

Bob Cochran, dean of Campus Services at the college, reported to the Board of Education recently about the improvements and enhancements staff have put in place beginning in 2005, resulting in substantial natural gas, electrical energy and cost savings. These measures include improvements to the boilers, optimization of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; retrofitting with energy-efficient lighting, and installing software and controls that allows staff to schedule heating and cooling cycles based on room occupancy.

The board recognized the Campus Services staff who have made the changes. Hilmo Ljucevic, an engineer originally from Bosnia, leads the engineering team, supported by Rodney Osterhoudt, and Jeff Tapp. Many of the improvements were designed, developed and installed by the team, using existing systems and equipment, saving the college additional money by not using outside contractors.

Most recently, the engineering team has designed and installed a small geothermal cooling system to moderate summer temperatures in the Campus Services offices. If the project is successful, they may expand this technology to other college buildings.

“These changes would have never come about without the support of our (former) dean, Bill Leach. My English wasn’t good, but Bill understood the concepts of where we could go,” Ljucevic said. Leach retired as dean of Campus Services in December.

For more information, contact Janet Paulson, 503-594-3162.