Behavior specialist hired to reduce campus energy use


LAWRENCE — As part of an initiative to reduce energy use at the University of Kansas, Cassi Reimer will join KU as an energy conservation behavior specialist. The new position is housed within the KU Center for Sustainability.

While maintaining building mechanical systems is part of the solution for energy-efficient building operations, the Center for Sustainability and KU Energy Office are working together to encourage and support building users in energy-saving actions in their work spaces. Their goals are to decrease utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions while creating safe and comfortable workspaces for KU employees.

Reimer’s first tasks will include auditing the most energy-intensive buildings on campus to identify opportunities for energy savings and engage building occupants through Green Teams to serve as leaders in energy conservation.

Reimer will also work with offices and departments across campus that want to improve their energy-saving practices and target conservation opportunities.

“Creating a comfortable and productive environment doesn’t have to come at the cost of greater energy and resource usage,” said Jeffrey S. Vitter, provost and executive vice chancellor. “Simple individual actions to reduce energy use can have a significant impact. This new role will help identify ways all who live, work and study at KU can remain comfortable, be productive and contribute to sustainability.”

As part of this energy conservation initiative, a new website has been established dedicated to communicating with campus constituents about energy usage at KU. It offers actions for building users, provides information about seasonal temperature set points for occupied and unoccupied times, and describes energy-conscious methods for troubleshooting thermal discomfort.

Building users are encouraged to report temperature discomfort to Facilities Services by submitting a work order at facilities.ku.edu. It could indicate a mechanical malfunction that requires repair.

For more information about energy conservation at KU, visit energy.ku.edu.

Tue, 09/01/2015

author

Jeff Severin

Media Contacts

Kimberly Criner

Center for Sustainability

785-864-0783