Ideas+for+improving+the+Aiken+Center

Areas to tackle to make the Aiken Center more energy and resource efficient. Current as of 3/11/2014


 * Water** -
 * Bathrooms
 * The water pressure on the faucets is too high, potentially wasting a lot of water.
 * The faucets stay on too long after the button on the faucets is pressed.
 * Lots of water used for every toilet flush. Reducing the amount per flush can save water.


 * Lighting** -
 * Hallways
 * Seems like there is an excessive amount of light in the hallways.
 * Bathrooms
 * Lights in the bathrooms stay on for a long time after people leave.
 * The shower light in the second floor bathroom is controlled by a switch, meaning that people can leave it on. Switching this over to a timer may save energy.
 * Student lounge (Room 108)
 * Lights stay on for a long time after people leave.
 * Deans Suite
 * Lights in the Deans Suite turn on when lights in the hallway outside turn on, even if there is no one in the Deans Suite. This could be due to a faulty or misplaced occupancy sensor.
 * Lights in the Deans Suite may be too bright.
 * Solarium
 * The lights in the solarium are sometimes on when no one is in the solarium, indicating that there may be a faulty occupancy sensor, or none at all.
 * The solarium entrance lights (little lights under the conference room) may be unnecessary, and they are constantly on.
 * Room 312
 * Possible lighting issues related to the occupancy sensors.
 * Room 216 (Custodial)
 * Light is on a switch. Converting this to a timer or occupancy sensor may save energy.
 * 3rd Floor West stairwell
 * Lights may not dim when unoccupied. This could possibly have something to do with the fire code, but if not, then setting these lights to automatically dim when unoccupied will save energy.
 * Room 311
 * Occupancy sensors turn lights off when room is fully occupied.
 * 3rd floor kitchen
 * Lights above the sinks are controlled by a switch. Moving these over to an occupancy sensor or timer may save energy.
 * The button to control the lights in the room is located behind a glass door, making it awkward to access. Moving it may make it more easily accessible, allowing people to turn it off easier.
 * Room 308
 * Lights constantly turn off when room is fully occupied. Putting in more occupancy sensors may help to combat this problem.


 * Heating** -
 * Faulty/broken heating units
 * North Atrium heating unit is on 24/7. Finding a way to fix it or turn it off may save energy.
 * Room 202 heating unit fan is constantly on. Fixing it or turning it off can save energy.
 * Solarium
 * Heating should be set to 50°F, but the thermostat only goes down to 65°F.
 * Room 305
 * Thermostat is nonfunctional.
 * 3rd floor kitchen
 * Thermostat is nonfunctional.
 * Room 308
 * Possible thermostat issues. Consider moving thermostat closer to the windows so that is will more easily sense the temperature towards the windows.
 * Vents near windows are always on, and they are constantly blowing cold air.