Upgrades will save FAMU $4.1M in energy costs

Through a $2.4 million energy savings performance contract being executed by the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc., FAMU is now on the path to a greener and more sustainable campus for the students and faculty. When work concludes in spring 2010, Siemens guarantees energy savings that will provide equivalent cost savings (depending on utility rates during the ten year contract) of more than $4.1 million, enough to cover the financing and provide a return on the overall investment.

"Through this contract with Siemens, FAMU will add a significant project to the list of measures that we will take to help improve the environment and reduce our energy consumption," said FAMU President James H. Ammons. "Siemens is guaranteeing cost savings, providing training for our staff and helping us to monitor and maintain the equipment. Siemens has a vested interest to see that we generate those savings."

FAMU’s Tallahassee campus encompasses 156 buildings and some 3.9 million square feet. Work has already begun implementing lighting upgrades, pipe insulation, and steam trap replacements at the central plant.

As far as sustainability is concerned, FAMU stands to gain even more. Once implemented, the retrofits and upgrades are calculated to reduce C02 emissions by 4.5 million lbs., equivalent to planting nearly 15 acres of trees. Moreover, Siemens will deliver to students and faculty a more comfortable interior environment with better management of heating, ventilation and air conditioning and lighting. For example, the color rendering of the new lighting systems are closer to that of natural light, thus reducing glare and eyestrain. With standardized lighting across the campus, lamp and other parts inventories are less costly to manage and maintain as well.