For the past few years, newer buildings at the med center, such as the Lauritzen Outpatient Center, Davis Global Center, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, the UNMC Center for Drug Discovery and Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education and more, have begun using hot water to heat their buildings instead of steam.

Steam and hot water are both the most common types of boiler heating systems. Steam boilers are known to be more traditional. They use energy to heat water to a boiling point, and the steam then travels through networks of pipes to different radiators to heat the building. A hot water boiler goes through the same process as steam but instead stops heating once the water is at a hot-enough temperature. Steam boilers still are necessary during cold months in the Midwest, but specifically during energy curtailment months and most other months throughout the year, hot water can be used to heat the majority of the med center’s buildings.

Using hot water instead of steam has many benefits. It is more energy efficient, safer and cheaper. Water can be controlled more easily than steam, since steam is a gas that has more particles, making it harder to balance and send in the right path, whereas water is easily directable. The water being used also doesn’t have to be heated to boiling temperatures, creating a much safer environment. Since less energy and water is needed, using hot water is the most cost-effective option.

The UNMC Center for Drug Discovery and Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education had a 45% reduction in energy use by using hot water instead of steam, equaling a cost avoidance of $45,000 just from 2017 to 2020. Many other buildings on campus had similar energy reduction and cost avoidance data. The med center will continue saving in the future by switching to hot water, because steam costs have continued to rise.

Moving toward this newer heating technology helps the med center reach its 2030 sustainability goals. Using hot water to heat buildings reduces emissions and the amount of water needed. Reducing emissions and water use positively impacts the environment and population by not contributing as much to air and water pollution.

Energy curtailment — when colleagues and students are asked to help the campus by using less energy on days when the combined heat and humidity put extra stress on campus energy systems – has returned.

This week is another hot one, and the medical center has been and will continue to be in and out of curtailment throughout the summer.

By using less energy on curtailment days, we:

• Ensure continuity of essential systems for critical hospital and research functions;
• Reduce pollution;
• Improve the health of the entire community; and
• Help to save money — both now (consumption) and for the next 12 months. The next year’s electrical rate is based on our maximum usage at any given point in time. This is always important, but especially now, as budgets are tight.

So what simple things can you do to help?

• Close shades, blinds and curtains whenever possible to reduce solar heat gain;
  • If you are on campus but your neighbors aren’t, please help by closing their window coverings and turning off any lights or equipment you can.
• Lower lighting levels where possible, turn off lights in unoccupied areas and when leaving a room;
• Turn off and unplug all electrical equipment not in use (computers, coffee makers, printers, chargers, etc.);
• Shut fume hood sashes when not in use;
• Open doors manually instead of using the ADA buttons if possible;
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator; and
• Tell others.

Updated technology has allowed us to control curtailment better. It is possible that spaces will get warmer as the day goes on, but there shouldn’t be freezing spaces, as colleagues have requested. For a full explanation, please visit the Energy Curtailment page.

Spaces are not controlled individually; the system cools larger areas. So while the med center has a temperature range to maintain, it’s possible your space may not be the exact temperature you want. Only call 2-3347 (Nebraska Medicine) or 9-4050 (UNMC) to report spaces colder than 66 degrees or warmer than 78 degrees.

Patient care and research spaces are not affected by energy curtailment.

Reducing energy use is an important part of the medical center’s effort to achieve net zero building emissions by 2030.

In February of 2020, a local energy management firm partnered with the department of facilities, management and planning to optimize the Lauritzen Outpatient Center with this goal in mind. The six-month project helped make the building more efficient and correct pressure issues, which were most noticeable in the walkway between the Lauritzen Outpatient Center and the UNMC Center for Drug Discovery. More lighting controls also were installed, all of which helped the med center reduce emissions.

In buildings that have operating rooms and labs, there are different air requirements to keep everyone safe. More air is exhausted outside and is replaced with fresh, conditioned air. Replacing the air faster in these spaces not only uses more energy but sometimes can create pressure issues. Because almost all buildings on campus are connected, you can often feel a “breeze” in smaller spaces, like hallways and walkways.

The energy optimization project examined the programming of all HVAC systems to ensure proper functionality and appropriate conditioning of spaces. Occupants should be comfortable during the day, but systems can be slowed during unoccupied times in order to save energy. Alongside the optimization project, new lighting sensors were installed to adjust lighting levels based on number of occupants in a space.

With the changes from this project, the med center reduced energy use by 3.7 million KBtus and saved more than $103,000 in just the first year. The facilities department expects energy savings to continue and cost avoidance to increase as well. The emissions impact from this reduction in energy use is equivalent to removing 167 passenger vehicles from the road for one year.

Reducing emissions from energy use contributes to the med center’s mission to create a healthy future for all. Emissions cause a variety of health impacts, including cancer, asthma, respiratory allergies, foodborne disease, mental health disorders and more.

Facilities will continue to work on optimizing buildings on campus, and there are many ways you can help. Discover steps you can take during the work day or ways to implement energy saving strategies at home.